Acclimating

Being a cyclist can be very lonely, but it never stays that way. I always feel so inside myself when it gets dark so early. This Friday I was stuck in the gym doing weightlifting. It's still lonely with all the people. Victoria had appointments until late at night and I had only seen her for about half an hour that day. Encouraging.

After I finished I rode home and tried to thaw out. Inertia is very prevelant in my life, and I had to push past it just to get in the shower. Then I was starving. This seems to be some of the reoccuring themes in my life: study, exercise, shower, eat...needless to say I was very excited to see Victoria.

Non-Cyclists often see it as a solitary sport, but it's really one of the most team-oriented sports there is. We suffer for each other constantly. It's easy to forget when you're training, because so much of it is alone, but I like to catch a group ride at least once a week. We usually have one every Saturday here. I struggled this week, there was wind coming from the south at up to 30 miles an hour, and with a small group I get seperated a lot because there aren't many people to draft. I got home and got to see Victoria for a few minutes, then cleaned up the house and the inlaws came over. Victoria came back, then my mom with a new dog. A beautiful, black lab setter mix.

I guess most people would write more about the dog and such. Pros always say that cycling is just their job, but I guess when you're not pro in becomes an insatiable passion.
Victoria and I got to spend alot of time together today, which was very nice. Needed even. Tomorrow I look forward to another long, cold week. Somehow I have to prepare for to summarize and compare 10,000 years of mesopotamian history. Oh, the passions I chose.