The "Off" Season

So...I can officially say that I am no better, actually WORSE at regularly blogging when it is the "off season." But here we go, the last month and a half in a (hopefully) short read:

First off...I don't know who termed it the "off" season; I feel busier now than I did during the race season. After my short break in December and the beginning of January it has felt great to get back into the groove of training. Victoria has had an amazing winter with beautiful days, clear roads, and amazing trail conditions. I've had six weeks of building on the bike and still wake up excited to head out on the days ride.

Second...to make all the riding easier...I've had new bikes to demo, test, set up for keeps, but most of all enjoy! The biggest change has been upgrading my winter bike, I went from my 1980's steel Pinarello to a 21st century full-ti Everti road bike. It is amazing. Tracks like a dream, smooths every bump in the road, and has a liveliness that no carbon frame could mimic. The other big change has been an Everti 29R hardtail--although I'm still getting used to big wheels and no suspension, at 21.5 lbs it climbs like a demon and descends better than any 26" hardtail I've ridden. I'm looking forward to racing it at some of the faster, wide-open events like Test of Metal and Sea Otter!

One of the best parts about the "off" season is actually getting a chance to see and ride with Drew and I's close friends. I've been heading out on some amazing mountain bike rides with our closest friends, riding with my favourite boss Gerry, and skipping around to various Saturday group rides.

I'll post photos and discuss more the three new bikes I've been testing out in the last month and a half in my next post (which is sooner than a month away!). Hope everyone else has been having a great winter!