Back in the saddle again (ouch)

I'm tipping the scales at a hefty 215lbs these days; my all time record high.  It appears that my strictly regimented diet of beef jerky and hoppy ales is not conducive to staying light in the pedals (not to be confused with being light in the loafers).  Albeit, a considerable amount of loafing has brought me to my current status.  So, I've committed myself to some type of physical activity each day, after work, be it running or riding etc.  Additionally, I will slather not two, but one modest helping of light mayo on my sandwiches moving forward; and of course, make similarly responsible dietary choices.  End goal weight:  190lbs.

Last night I put in my first 15 miles of the year.  My poor road bike actually had a thick layer of dust & ash (from the wood stove) which billowed up before my eyes upon blowing it off the top tube.  *poof*  I lubed it up, aired it up, and carried it up stairs and out into the evening sun for a reunion ride.  The Attendees:  My ass & my ancient saddle, which has a Rockwell hardness value of at least a billion.  Still, my pace was decent (14.5mph) and I enjoyed an hour of quiet riding through the countryside.  Stats from Endomondo are as follows.

Windy training ride - 15 miles

Super windy day here in Westminster, MD, but I need to get some miles in this week in preparation for the Michaux Trail Cup cross country endurance race this weekend. I'm still not sure whether I'll register for the 25 or the 50 mile version of this race. It will be my first race in over 5 years and the sensible rider inside me says woah now, take it easy tiger. You're just baaarely in shape! But the burly, hairy chested, quads-o-fire Guy inside me says You want that pain; you neeeeed that pain! Quads-o-fire Guy is a jackass. I will have to see how froggy I'm feeling in the next day or so. I've got a few more days to register. Regardless, today's ride was a good one, albeit short. I meandered here and there around my neck of the woods and passed three other LSV riders, though I don't know who they were (See meandering image below). I've gone and hyped up today's ride (in my mind) by Photoshopping a glorious 15 on to today's post-ride image for my own personal and necessary confidence boosting. Must... ride... more... I don't want to get shelled by a bunch of beginners at my first race.

Fork it over.

In anticipation of a kickass ride into work this morning, I stayed up an extra 10 minutes last night to switch the fork out of my K2. I pulled the K2 fork out and replaced it with my dead Giant's carbon fork which has some great lines, no rake and a great paint job. I'm eager to get out of work and blast over to Fells Point to meet my lovely girlfriend for dinner.
Ghetto blasting in T-minus 6 minutes, (current time: 3:54pm)
Mike