Summer Slow Down!

Yep, it’s flying bye.  We all can feel it, we grasp for the warm sun to keep it’s incredible radiative powers for longer.  We wake and notice that it’s just a little darker with that first sip of coffee.  We actually buckle to putting a hoodie on for the first hour of the day to keep the slight chill off the skin still warmed by sheets.  But wait, it’s not even August, we’ve got plenty of great, long summer days ahead of us!  While it feels like it was just a few weeks ago that I was donning leg warmers, arm warmers, and shoe covers on for every ride, I also get the feeling that I have a limited number of days where I can grab whatever tools I need for an adventure and head out into the mountains without much consideration for anything but lightning bolts, running out of water, and substantial treat supplies.  It’s a shame the smoke from wildfires to our west has ruined the air quality and the reward of summit views, but I suppose it could be worse, we could have our homes being threatened by wildfires.

The past two months have been full throttle.  I’m pretty sure I’ve raced bikes all but two weekends in the last eight weeks.  Some races incredibly long, some less than an hour, and some with three days of mountain bike stage racing (Fernie 3 is legit!).  I have sensed a steady climb in my fitness and within the last two weeks I have stepped, or pedaled rather into my best sensations on the bike yet.  As I have started to “taper” for my A-priority race of the season, the Butte 100, all the accumulated hours of rides, intervals, and bar-gripping descents, the fitness is coming to a peak while I feel one with the bike while slicing through single-track.  I have regained the sensations I get to feel for short period every season where it actually feels really good to suffer and push hard.  My last xc race I was actually sustaining 193-195 for a heart rate during the climbs, and the last time I checked my max was 198.  That’s pretty ridiculous really, but I’ll take it!  I’ve also really enjoyed discovering a whole new kind of fun on two wheels with taking the 6″ travel fun bike on chairlift laps on Big Mountain.  Banked turns, tables, gap jumps, and chasing the guy in front of you makes for some serious fun without having to turn a pedal.

But despite all the fun I’ve been having on the bike and the great rides I’ve shared with Jen, I’m really looking forward to getting through the Butte and getting to spend some days in the park floating among the summits.  I’ve been telling myself it’s delayed gratification, and most certainly it will, but the desire to simply relax and breath while on the summit of a peak is calling deep.  It’s pretty crazy that the Park is literally just waiting, an hour away, ready to be explored.  Unbelievably fortunate that it doesn’t require a half a year to plan a trip just to get a few miles off the beaten path.

In other news wedding season is upon us!  I’m pretty excited that I get to celebrate with family and friends the beginnings of many new families.  And in the not too distant future, a family trip to New Zealand is creeping up on the horizon!  But for this week, I’m excited to turn my focus to squeeze the best possible ride out of my body and mind for the Butte in hopes of finishing in front of Jen so I can cheer her on to the finish!

Below are some images of the good times…