Togetherness

• For some reason, this year's workload seems as if it's much heavier than last year's, even though I know it is not. In any case, this leaves less time for riding and enjoying the few scant months of enjoyable cycling weather here in Chicagoland. Faced with challenge of a summer mostly off the bike, I've been wondering how to maximize these precious few hours per week spent in the saddle.

  We really haven't recruited any true newbies into the racing team, so there's less of a need for hand holding on the regular training rides. As a resolutely non-competitive rider, I'll gladly rule out mind numbing interval sessions and practice races. I'm leaning towards long early morning weekend rides, deep into areas south and west... but cannot seems to rally the like minded just yet. But it's still early.