Cycling in the South Bay

Once upon a time I rode 220 miles in thirteen hours.

Once upon a time I rode 600 miles a week, every week.

Once upon a time I got a bronze medal in a 120-mile, elite state championship road race.

Once upon a time I smashed on the Flog Ride, every fucking Thursday morning for six years.

Once upon a time I rode up the coast to Canada and back to LA through the Cascades and Sierras in 82 days.

Once upon a time I did the FTR every year.

Once upon a time I never missed the Donut, the Holiday Ride, or NPR.

Once upon a time I trained with Fields and Marco Vermeij.

Once upon a time I climbed some of the toughest mountains in Japan every day before lunch.

Once upon a time I held Zdenek Stybar’s wheel most of the way up the Sa Calobra.

Once upon a time Kristie and I rode 138 miles with 40-lb. backpacks in a day, camped, and rode home.

Once upon a time I crossed Germany on a MTB-hybrid with nothing but a small knapsack.

Once upon a time I sat on Kristie’s wheel for 120 miles through the desert and Glamis to Blythe.

Once upon a time I rode in the dead of winter from LA to Houston to see my ailing father.

Two days ago I rode 19.1 miles with a loaded bike and was wrecked.

Yesterday I rode 37 miles on same loaded bike and felt pretty darned tired.

Today I rode another 37 miles and feel like I rode 100.

And you know what?

I’m good with that.

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