April 2, first group ride of the season. I rode with the A-squad since the de facto B-squad is still in hibernation: 55 miles averaging 20mph. That's fast for me. A little bit of dirt roads, mostly rough pavement. Just enough rough to cause one to wonder who will win the Tour of Flanders tomorrow---Cancellara's got form, but he was not racing against the full A-squads of the pro peloton last week, but Boonen was the following Sunday, but it probably won't end in a bunch sprint. So its hard to tell really how awesome Cancellara really is. I know very little but what I read in the online rags, but I aim to find out for myself tomorrow...
Two weeks to Almonte-Roubaix. This group ride was just the stimulus I needed. All those long hours in the basement and spin classes last Winter. Then I upped the intensity recently, building more form. Then today was the first race-length ride, and I did it hard. A bit more riding outside and I'll be more-or-less primed for the Main Event of the early season. When I leave the race, I will then leave Ottawa. My U-haul will literally be already packed up. I will race, come home, eat, and then leave Canada permanently. It should be a perfect ending to my Canadian experience.
