Yesterday's ride completed the training rides of Chris at ridewithchris.org. It's been many months since I started training for ALC 08 and training is coming to a close. It is tapering time to keep the body oiled, but giving it time to heal and energize for the ride out to LA. By tapering, I mean that I will likely do two 60 mile rides next weekend instead of two 100 mile rides. Then maybe a 20 miler on the 25th. I haven't ridden hardly at all during the week this whole time and I still feel very ready for the ride. However, I have worked out twice a week in the mornings so that does count for training.

Many thanks to Chris Thomas and all the other training ride leaders, SAGs, and other riders. The ALC ride is incredibly organized and without this amount of volunteerism and organization, we riders would not know what to do with ourselves physically, mentally, and nutritionally throughout the many months of preparation. Thank you!!

I was not prepared to feel prepared. It's a good feeling. I did not expect to say, "three days only have 60 some miles!" The biggest challenge ahead is to control the saddle discomfort as best as I can. Lots of "butt butter" and wear the best shorts during the first days. Mavic's 3D padding is the best I have used. Incredible padding. Buy some now.

At the beginning of the training season, I had no faith that I could complete what I did yesterday. I was pleasantly surprised that my mind changed in ways unexpected. "I just laid down a couple centuries, this is just 25 more miles." "Last week's ride was 110, this is just 15 more."