April is the Cruelest Month?

The weather on last night's ride confirmed that 2008 is at least a month off. It is definitely like April... we left the Hunt Valley shop under dark skies for the ride and by the time we got to the start it was raining slightly. There was a big turnout which was somewhat suprising considering the weather forecast, and temps in the 50's. Going up Cuba road it started to drizzle, then come down steady. Sean and I were feeling a little uncomfortable with the large group in the rain so we went to the front and tried to create a split. After about 15 minutes we were away with a group of 2 new guys from out of town, Trevor, and Trek MTB superstar Chris Eatough. I was still hoping it was going to be passing showers, but it wasn't to be. After a while we were all miserable and cold! It had to have been in the mid 40's, and it was windy. I was having a hard time feeling my feet and my shifters, my shoes were literally swimming on me, and I was just hoping to stay upright. The good thing was that nobody wanted to stop; we were already wet and cold so we just wanted to get the workout in and finish the ride. Quite a difference from the MX crowd on the weekend where they cancelled the 2nd motos, and this was just a training ride! By the end of the ride we were all happy and smiling, there were no crashes; and we all got in a great workout. I read and article recently about the US Navy looking for their elite SEAL squad in new areas; cycling in particular. I can definitely see their logic! Cyclists have to perform in a wide variety of weather conditions, and be able to ignore the pain and focus on the task at hand. We ride when its wet, dry, hot, cold, snowy, icy, muddy, windy, dark, humid, arid.... you name it! We are definitely a unique group of people and I am happy to have spent the last 15 years becoming one of us.
I was sorry to hear that Mike Eatough, Chris' dad had a big get off on the motorcycle recently. Evidently he was riding with some friends and went down hard fracturing 7 ribs, his sternum, and some vertebrae. Mike is one of the most talented riders I have ever met, and a great guy to boot. I wish him a speedy and full recovery!
Its Memorial Day weekend coming up and if things go OK I should be racing at the MASS Escape From Granogue in Delaware on Saturday. After that I hope to enjoy some May weather for a change! This could be the wettest May on record here in Maryland and I think T. S. Eliot may have had it wrong.... for cyclists May is when the racing starts in earnest. The early season is over, and the majority of riders are coming into racing form. That in addition to this weather makes May the cruelest month!