I really wish I could tell you all about the amazing outdoor riding I’ve done this week… but sadly I can’t. I did manage to get outside on Tuesday and was it ever windy out there! I was hoping the weather man would be wrong and things would have warmed up by now but it really seems to be getting colder.

So it has been down to the basement for me. I appreciate how riding the trainer and rollers does have its benefits – particularly when it comes to having to do specific intervals at  specific wattage ranges – but I have to tell you, I’m a bit sick of this trainer and roller business.

I’ve ridden indoors the last three days with one thought in my head: “on the weekend I’ll be able to ride in the warm sun”. Well, it doesn’t look it is going to happen. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for Sunday and a solid group ride. But if it is a “high” that is still below zero, the trainer it will be. I know, I know – I live in Ottawa in Canada and last March was unseasonably warm, but I think this is pushing things just a bit.

Apart from whining about the weather, things have been going really well. I was worried the long ride on Sunday might tire me out a bit too much, but with the one planned rest day on Monday, I was good to go on Tuesday. This is a really good feeling. My wattage numbers might not be where I’d like them, but it is only March and I want to be blazing full blast in September… Besides as Marc pointed out, I did get handle the ride on Sunday fairly well.

Progress is good and I just have to remember that I’m preparing for September and not April. I’d still like to get out for some early season races, but if it doesn’t happen, well no big deal. I need to feel confident in my fitness and strength before I can line up and race so I’ll put in the time to get me where I want to be. Same as usual really.

In other news, I’ve had some excellent discussions with my sponsors about the upcoming cyclo-cross season. I’m pretty stoked to say that once again I’ll be eating Clif Bars, keeping my brain protected thanks to Giro/OGC, racing around in the latest in cycling clothing thanks to Champion Systems Canada, getting the best coaching there is thanks to Bell Lap Coaching – all with the support of the top bike shop in Ottawa – The Cyclery. This being said, I am interested in bringing a new sponsor (or two) on board so if you have any suggestions or contacts, I’d love to hear from you.

(And since I haven’t plugged it in a while… Did you know that I wrote a book? Yep – it is called An Unlikely Elite and is available in PDF and EPUB formats. Download it, read it and tell me what you think.)