The Collins ride.

This is a little late, but we have had some really good Monday night rides this fall.

We've been seeing the sun go down a bit earlier each ride, and we've been rolling essentially at sunset. The two rides that stand out in my mind we accomplished the two weeks prior to going to gravel rides. Each time we had six riders, and each time, we were able to spend several miles in sync - in a real paceline. We were riding in the amber-golden sun, with our long shadows cast across the highway, each of us spaced evenly, quietly gliding along the smooth pavement. No one talked, or tried to fly off the front, and no one died off the back. We just really cruised - in a peaceful and communal way. I could imagine the view from the sunward side of things - six riders, each in colorful kits, on colorful bikes, riding past fields of sunflowers and tall green corn, legs circling with still heads and shoulders, each with a different feeling, hopefully each with a real sense of joy at living in these fleeting and glorious moments.

Unless you've done it, you can't imagine the feeling. Rolling solo in the moment is one thing, but to do it with good friends - man. I wish I could take you there. I ride for the moments like this that I can cherish, because I earned them and because they pay me back every time I replay them in my mind.

I have told friends that I'm a bicycling evangelist, and some of the more hard-core Christians among them have not understood what I mean - but these rides have had me closer to my God than I've ever been in church, and for those of you concerned about my soul - that's fine with me, and my Creator.

Micah.

I almost forgot....

What it felt like to be on a long ride. I've done plenty of running lately, as well as some off-road and gravel stuff. Yesterday, I went about 32 on gravel. Freakishly awesome. Averaged over 15, with wind, on the cross bike. Not stellar, but I'm looking to build some base miles before I kill on speedwork. I found some amazing road (tough stuff) at 200th and Falcon, going east. Get out and ride, but I'd recommend a mountain bike. I'd guess it is among the toughest roads this county has to offer.

I've got two rides in mind in 09. I'm going to 1) repeat the DK200 in 15 or fewer hours, and I'm going to do the Hoodoo 500. Training begins in earnest in January, so some base now isn't too bad an idea. I've got a few adventure races in the mean-time, so I'll continue some cross training.

I'll try and get some pics from yesterday's ride here soon. Get out there - the weather is awesome now, and in a few weeks, I expect we'll be wishing we had more of it.

Micah.