So, yes, climbing it is for the rest of the fall. Unless the weather goes pear-shaped on the weekend, I’ll likely skip ‘cross season. Why? Simple. With climbing, there is no either/or when it comes to spending time with the family–I can have it both ways. “Balance” is built right in. That’s not say I’ve given up riding, or even racing. The Dirty Dozen looms, and I have no good reason to skip this year (unless, of course, we’re climbing). I’ll continue racing during the week next year, though back in the comfort of the Cs (more on this in a moment). And, D2R2 remains on my radar.

So why the Cs? Why the step back? This year was my attempt at being a “real” bike racer. I did lots of road races. Raced Bs at the Oval. And I realized that life wasn’t for me. (A cynic might note that perhaps I’m giving up because I’m slow. Perhaps. But I prefer to think that I sampled another sport/lifestyle, and preferred the one I had already in climbing.) The C races give me a chance to get a good workout once a week, ride with some teammates, and have fun. Maybe the racing flame will be re-ignited at some point. Who knows. But for the moment, the focus is on climbing, and rock climbing at “standards” again, as my friend put it.

Posted on 30 September 2009