Back to the Beach

After a few days of rest, I finally got back on the bike again today. It was going to be hot here in Simi so we decided to go to the beach. I got up, got ready, watched Landis get out of the gate, and then hit the road. I should have spun a little during the week because the legs were stiff for a few miles before letting me get into the groove. I road the first 30 miles in 90 minutes. Then the wind really kicked up into my face. The going got brutal but I made the 44 miles in just a bit over 2 hours 15 minutes. We then sat at the beach for five hours, swam in the water, body surfed, boogie boarded, played in the waves, and tossed the football around. The sea was angry that day my friend. I learned how not to boogie board, several times. The waves pounded me into the sand, spun me around, pegged me with my own board, and said "come back when you have a clue boy!" I called it quits for the day after the fourth try and fourth pounding. But hey, the ride was good. Everything else about the beach was great.

Just a TdF note, Landis has been spectacular! After a bonk, then a terrific ride with heart, daring, and American fight, then the yellow jersey today in the time trial. Wow! I can hear the Star Spangled Banner playing now on the Champ Elyees.

Take note, Landis is from SoCal. It's in the water. I will admit, after riding 200+ miles on last Saturday, today's ride was different. It seemed to pass quickly and without the usual looking at the GPS to see how far I'd gone and had to go. I guess 11 hours 20 minutes on the bike will do that to you. Five weeks to go. Just a note for anyone that has not been on the bike, in this month's Bicycling magazine, there are several plans to get ready for a century in four weeks. Just a little help, no excuses.