Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Is it spring yet?

Steve aka The Colonel
What we should be doing now, but are not.
In my world, March 1st marks the beginning of spring in Ottawa. Most years, this belief amounts to little more than misplaced optimism. In case you didn't already know, I'm an optimist. Mostly. I tend to look for the positive side to most situations, the silver lining. For example, when I broke a few bones in my foot years ago, I took the down time as an opportunity to read more, which led into my return to post-secondary education. I consider this injury a turning point in my life. Sometimes shocks to the status quo are just what we need. On the other hand, certain turns of events leave most people asking one simple question: why? I don't have to rhyme off example of such occasions, we all know them well.

Scaling back to everyday perturbations, I must admit that I am far from optimistic when I'm ill. I see no silver lining, just lost time and squandered opportunity. I am not pleasant to be around when I'm ill. So, after spending the last two weeks ill AND injured (knee to rock smashing on maiden snowbike ride), I looked forward to March 1st, spring, a welcome change of state to lift my spirits. Upon getting up and looking outside, the first hints of not-spring were evident. Yes, one of the streets out front was melty, but the one off the side was snowy. Not spring. After a quick breakfast, I rolled out of the garage to a distinct sensation of not-spring. In fact my sensory system was telling me exactly what I didn't want to hear: its still winter! Frigg. Its still winter. And its March. Frigg. I've had enough of this shit.

Later in the day I received word that spring will indeed arrive, at least by April 16th. Why April 16th? Because this day marks the annual throwdown we affectionately call the Almonte Roubaix. There were scheduling challenges this year, but Bob Woods and Ian Austen have prevailed and nestled the Roubaix in the day before the Calabogie Classic road race. So, for the first time in a long time, if not ever, the Almonte Roubaix will fall on a Saturday. For those looking to double up their racing, the opportunity is there. Perhaps we'll see more riders from out of town seize the opportunity to double up too, who knows? One thing is for certain, the Roubaix will be exciting, and our team will be certain to know the route well to avoid falling prey to sabotage like last year.

The outlook for March is not too pleasing at the moment, however. Yes, Saturday's forecast is for plus 4 degrees celcius and light rain, all day. Still recovering from the tenacious virus that has plagued me for more than two weeks, it might be difficult to decide whether or not to spend hours in the rain come Saturday. It looks like March might well deliver more trainer time than desired. One thing is for certain: spring will be oh so sweet when it arrives. And I'll be sure to announce it when it does.

5 comments:

Pascii said...

I hear ya Matt. It seems like we're not even close. The forecast for the next week is downright depressing. The Roubaix is only 6 weeks away...gulp. Last year, I had logged over 1500 km by April 14th. I have a feeling I won't quite get that many this year.

Bigger Dummy said...

Sorry to hear the snowbiking didn't work out for you Matt. I, for one, am LOVING it. I've been out roughly a dozen times since picking up my bike in late January.

Low mileage yes, but hard earned miles. Not building high mileage legs, but the fine handling skills are coming along.

Back to commuting to work later this week :)

Madmountainmike said...

Good on your tenaciousness Matt ! Actually just looking at you on the February page of the TT calendar riding in the snow...reminding me it is now March and to turn the page !

I'll be lucky to get 1000 km in by April 16....basically all of it in South Carolina....my age will keep me off the road in rain, and snow will keep me skiing....and nothing it seems can get me on a trainer !

David Bilenkey said...

Matt, hope you shake the bug and come out swinging. I for one am looking forward to the double header on the 16th and 17th. I'm expecting to have a solid 3k into my legs by then. :-)

Anonymous said...

Frigg. I've had enough of this shit.

me too!

bring spring soon!

I got some good rides in over xmas though to Wakefield on the cross bike and I've been biking on the bike trails a couple of weekends since.

But, this last snow fall just paralized me. I want to hybernate!


If there is a bicycle jesus, bring us some damn good biking weather!
I'm sick of dressing up!
I want to dress down!