homecoming.

Got to cruise the "flatlands" this weekend with many of my friends and teammates. It was definitely a huge treat! Katie and I departed eastward early Saturday morning with the intention of arriving at my parents' house with enough time for me to squeeze in a solid 2.5 hours before an officers meeting at Shackleford's that evening. Plus, it allowed my family to see all 300+ pictures of Italy we printed.

Saturday afternoon, I was able to squeeze in the BikeBeat @ Kiln Creek shop ride (minus the Wormley Creek Tour Rd. Section) to get just a hair over two hours in. The weather was perfect, 70 degrees with only a light wind (very rare for Yorktown!)... plus no real hills (other than coming up the bluff in Yorktown). For dinner, Katie went with my parents and the Wallace's to Andrea's, our favorite Italian restaurant... while I headed up to meet KJ, Jen, Roger, Eli, Chad, Tim, Steve-O, and (eventually) Big Daddy DW at Shackleford's for a delicious dinner meeting. Got home. Went to bed. Tossed and turned all night.

Big Daddy DW's email calling for the resurrection of the Sunday morning Waller Mill ride resulted in a huge turnout! I think when everybody grouped up, we had at least 30 show up... almost entirely of JRVS, which is extremely exciting. To get time on the bike, and get a steady aerobic workout beforehand, I rode up from the house. The ride from Grafton to Waller Mill is almost a perfectly flat 25 miles or so that only has a few shallow rises on Rt. 143.

Leaving the parking lot, the normal casual warmup pace ensued with plenty of conversation. The normal cast of heavy hitters were there (sans ToddXXX), so suffering was definitely in store. Right around the autographed Roubaix sign things began heating up. The pace ebbed and flowed, until finally the knob was turned to attrition. I knew I was tired from the week's workouts... but I wanted to be a survivor, and kept the poker face on as long as possible. We hit the ascent of Col' de Stonehouse hard... which is usually the beginning of the end for me. I arrived at the top welin good position and feeling pretty good. I think it was Mt. Laurel Rd. when the cramps showed up; which is strange because I hardly ever cramp!

After meandering back to the parking lot, it was time to head over to my aunt and uncle's to grab a ride back to the parents' place. It was a great ride! The training stress score was pretty high; but I at least had fun ridin' hard. "Angel Wings" Simet was out rippin' it on his new Bontrager Aeolus 6.5 clinchers. I want some too.