Jennifer Dilworth Hynes — mtbchk

Good Times.  That’s what I’ve been having.

I went to Atlanta to see the family and had good times.  I rode Blanket’s Creek with my lil’ bro.  He surprised me.  For someone who doesn’t ride regularly, he certainly held his own.  He had no issue with any tech sections.  He rode the teeter.  He did the switchbacks and rock gardens.  We rode all of the trails (beg, int, and advanced) at what I would consider an intermediate pace, and he had no problem keeping up.  I could see him also being good at freeriding, but I wouldn’t tell him that, since I think he broke most of his bones already as a kid doing similarly risky stuff.  He doesn’t have the best of luck when it comes to breaking stuff.  But he managed to jump Brian’s old Cannondale hardtail off of some low bridges (until I warned him about pinch flats, and the fact that that bike and its headshok weren’t meant to be jumped).

Last weekend I did the MS150.  Century ride from Monroe to Darlington on Saturday and 80+ miles from Darlington to N. Myrtle Beach Sunday.  As always, an enjoyable ride with the Ranks.  The route from Monroe was really nice, and we (about 8 or 9 of us, I can’t remember exactly) kept a pretty good pace over the hills (~18.5 mph avg, including stops).  Sunday’s route was flat, but we had a much larger group of 22 riders, plus some hangers-on on the back of our paceline.  Yet we still approached a 19 mph average (including stops), even with that many riders of varying levels of fitness.  Next year, I hope to be able to stay at the beach on Sunday.  I’m still trying to burn the image of Waldron on the drums out of my eyeballs.  I’m also interested to see what happens after more than a few kamikazes with that group.  We always leave too early to witness the mayhem.

This week I was able to ride a couple of times out at Catawba.  Great rides.  Sometimes it’s really nice to ride alone.  I could actually smell the pine trees again.  I’ve really missed Catawba.  I had two really laid-back rides (with gears).  It’s amazing how gears will allow you to relax, chill-out, and not kill yourself.  Funny, I think I’ve said the same for SS, too.  I guess swapping bikes can be a nice change sometimes.  I went from riding 185 miles on the road bike, to riding the SS (hardtail) around work all day to riding the 5″ dually on the trail.  Each bike is fun to ride in its own way.  All I know, is that I’ve lost enough strength from not riding that Catawba on the SS has not yet become “fun” for me.  It’s a lot of work.

Oh, speaking of losing strength…. I had my final weigh-in last week.  All-totaled, I lost 13 pounds, 4 points body-fat, and 9 inches.  The saddest part is that I lost an inch off of each calf.  Now, I’m no dummy.  I know I didn’t have that much fat on my CALF.  I’m pretty sure that was all muscle.  I lost almost as much off my calf as I did my waist!  Oh, and my thighs are >2″ inches smaller, too.  I went into this to learn how to eat for racing.  My first goal was not to lose weight, although I assumed I would since I had some lbs to lose.  What I didn’t count on was almost quitting riding during this period of time.  I now have a good handle on what to eat, and — don’t get me wrong — I’m happy about losing weight, but I can’t help but think that much of that weight lost is muscle lost from not riding.  Yes, my clothes fit better and I’ve gone down *almost* two sizes.  But, let’s face it… I’m slow.

Anyway.  I was supposed to be off today, but a meeting with the county pre-empted that time off.  I ended up working until 7 anyway.  I’m off tomorrow for Brian’s company picnic and some quality ride-time with my sweetie.  Working all day Sunday, so if anyone is out there, come by and say hi.

My new job is like being at Summer Camp all the time.  Sometimes I can’t believe I actually get paid for this.  It’s really fun.  I’m here ALL the time.  I haven’t had a day off in like 3 or 4 weeks.  I’m working 13 hours a day.  I eat every meal here.  I’ve stayed overnight here twice (sleeping on the back of a raft for an hour at a time).  I’ve had a couple of beers here.  I’ve rafted twice.  I’ve ridden my bike (only a couple of times).  We’re really busy, but it’s still fun.  Running pumps, filters, fixing the dirty water issues, basic facility stuff…  It’s still engineering and maintenance, but the location and atmosphere makes the biggest difference.  Plus, I’ve never had a real job before where I could wear shorts!  It’s a nice perk.  The only downsides are the lack of any other kind of life, and never seeing Brian.  He’s nice enough to bring meals to me when he’s in the area.  Everyone’s jealous. 

I’ve been able to get out to ride a few times.  I think if I keep riding my SS here I could be really strong.  I rode the Titus this morning, though, and it was a welcome relief.  I needed gears and suspension today.  It was a good ride with B and a few Ranks and Arleigh.

Next weekend I’ll finally have some days off.  I’m headed to see my little bub-ra, Doug.  He lives in San Diego, but is coming home to Atlanta to visit the family.  So, I’m headed south for a few days.

The following weekend is the MS 150 — 200 miles from Monroe to Myrtle Beach with the company of the Ranks.  I’ll see how that goes.  Since I haven’t been riding much, I don’t know how the knees will do, and I’ll definitely have to bring a full tube of Butt’r.

I’ll post pics of the place later.  We’ve cleaned up the water, and the crowds have come to check it out.  We’re getting good reviews from the kayak clubs.

Also, since I started working at the Whitewater Center and seeing a sports nutritionist, I’ve lost 11 pounds!  My days are much more active overall even though I’m not riding as much.  Whoo-hoo!  11 pounds!