Happy holidays

Since Dr. Richards says that he uses what I’m able to do on the bicycle as a gauge for my overall condition and because my past two cold weather weekend rides have been so awesome I’m going to make this quick post to pass along some positive vibes.

In short, my past two rides have definitely kicked things up a notch and I’m doing the type of riding that while still quite challenging is really helping to improve my physical strength. I’ve been riding with Dan in the area of the Sourland Mountains and Washington Crossing State Park to tackle some of the more significant climbs we have here in this area of NJ. Last weekend we covered 44 miles and yesterday we did 41 that included two of the steeper hills we climb (Van Dyke and Mine Roads). I couldn’t be happier as it’s been this anaerobic climbing strength that I’ve been struggling to get back.

Meanwhile we’re just a few weeks from our Tour de Hot Chocolate that will be a metric century in that same general area. We have our probable stops all picked out (two hot chocolate and one hot apple cider) and can only hope for no precipitation on the tentative date of January 2^nd. Erin will be leaving for her trip to China on that day but with Sasha and Bailey home and coupled with the gathering of many Mintz’s Mentschen teammates this proves to be a fun day.

Happy holidays!