6 Hours = 3.25 Hours

Not really sure why I agreed to the 6 hour race thing. Usually I enjoy endurance races. After being off the bike I was a little apprehensive about this one. For good reason. I had no idea how long I would last and how I would recover.

The course was very tight and twisty. The lap was only 5 miles long. After a while it became mind-numbing. I didn't know if I was coming or going. I had absolutely zero competitive juices flowing. We lined up and had to run to our bikes. I basically trotted/power walked. I usually enjoy picking off men and staying away--not on this day. I was very chill. I just tried to work on being smooth and enjoying the bike. I was enjoying the bike until about 2.5 hours and then it was painful. I didn't know if I could take much more. I went for another lap which turned out to be my last. The next time I came around to the pit I threw in the towel and sat-down. I made myself useful and fed Mike and Jim B.

I made it over 3 hours and to be honest I'm shocked that I made it that long. At least I got a workout in.

Weird NJ

To make the usual pre-race spin-out less monotonous I cruised around the abandoned Overbrook/Essex County Hospital. I'm no stranger to abandoned mental hospitals. In my hometown of Athens, Ohio there is an area called "The Ridges" which is made up of the old grounds of an abandoned state mental hospital. I remember we used to drive through there at night and freak each other out. We used to scare each other with threats that Billy Milligan was coming to get us...

I explored for about an hour today and I have to admit, there were times when I felt a little creeped-out.

Merely a suggestion

One lonely rose bush.

I was adjusting the shifter cables on my bike when I felt a presence. I looked up and the turkeys scared the crap out of me!!

Anyone have to use the john?

Ward 10= Clothing Boutique

There's actually a little write-up on this place at WeirdNJ.com:

http://www.weirdnj.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=230&Itemid=28

It's bad enough that work and illness interrupt my riding schedule. Today the weather is not cooperating either. I'm not happy... I HATE THE TRAINER!!! I HATE THE GYM!! The gym serves a purpose but I can only go there a max of 2x a week or I will lose my mind. Plus, the average age of my gym is like 72. I do love my ladies, but some days I don't want to discuss the latest, cutting edge dishes to make with Cool-Whip and Jell-O.

I may have to suck it up and go to the woods, pouring or not. I love riding in the rain and the mud. The only issue I have is with the aftermath.

On Sunday we're headed to Schenectady, NY for a 6 hour "race". I'm curious how long my body will last after being off the bike for so long. It should be interesting. Or at least entertaining for those unfortunate enough to witness my inevitable hallucinations and rantings...