Guess what? I’m almost not sick anymore! Rad. It’s only been… what – six weeks now? No problem. I’d feel bad for myself if I didn’t know that half of the rest of the cyclocross community was also sick. And racing through sickness. Sal reported this morning that I am coughing less and less during the night [...]

I missed the wobbly feeling of pounding out 60 consecutive pushups. I missed the "gym zone" where the headphones go in, the death-anger rap goes on, and everyone else disappears. I missed wife beaters and balance boards and bosu balls.

Thinking about joining a group ride? Start here. It's springtime - group rides are in full swing. Get in on one and watch what happens - you'll ride faster, further and have more fun than you've ever had on a bicycle. There are a few important things to know about riding in a group, but don't be intimidated - once you get the hang of it, you'll be glad you took the plunge. You don't have to be on a team to ride with a group. Ask your local bike shop if there are any standing rides you can join. Chances are, if they don't have one of their own, they'll know where you can find one.

Last year as we pulled into the parking lot after the Timber Road ride, Steve Brown said, “Remember this part, Heidi.” My face was smeared with chocolate covered Gu and my hair was matted to my head.  I’d just been nursed home into a howling headwind by three men who were kind enough to rescue me [...]

The bike is both friend and enemy right now. The act of riding feels emotionally healing and psychologically restorative, but my rides leave me physically worked over, napping for hours afterward, shivering from chills. And I’m not just talking about hard rides. The easy rides, too. The no-effort 1.5 hour spin. [...]

I try to stop. I try but I can’t.  The sun. The blue sky.  Swooping roads.  An attack of medium-sized black birds with red shoulders.  A lake.  A glisten.  Hills and green. According to my schedule, I’m supposed to turn around right now.  I should go back home, duckwalk into the garage, pull off the blue-black spandex and [...]