It’s my friend Chris’ birthday today. Just like last year we rallied for a birthday ride, unlike last year it wasn’t bitterly cold.

George and Chris came up from Waterbury to ride the Town Loops trails across the street from my office. Technically there is no hunting on the town loops as they’re town property. I wouldn’t bet your life on it though.

As I pulled on my gear and made to leave the office to meet up with the guys, I thought wisely of quickly checking my calendar. Sure enough, I had one hour before I had to be back for a conference call. Couldn’t move the ride, couldn’t move the call. But I figured an hour would be fine and I headed out. I always warm up by riding ‘in’ the ‘out’ downhill. It takes me 6 minutes for the moderate (and fun) climb and then I ride pell-mell over the bridges and through the woods to meet up with the folks who are starting from the traditional in point.

hunting livery for the dog

hunting livery for the dog

It’s nice cause it means that I’m warm already as we climb out of the parking lot, gives me a little bit of an advantage on the singlespeed and makes me feel hardcore and cool. Those guys were ahead of schedule though, and i didn’t even make it all the way to the parking lot before they found me.

We rode the traditional town loops due to my time shortage and I felt like crap. Reflecting, my diet today was not awesome for riding. Salad and meat chili for lunch – not a lot of power in there. Plus the stupid cupcake I ate. No wonder I sucked, but not complaining. I got to spend my lunch hour riding singletrack, how about you?

I’m riding along, thinking about the upcoming meeting and start thinking of some key points and questions I need to pose. So I stop the bike, pull out the iPhone and make my notes. Very important stuff.

I made it back to my desk, looked at my clock and it’s 3:03. Three minutes late. I run into my boss’s office and join the call. Thanks to my notes I’m a lucid and valuable, if not a little sweaty and stinky, contributor to the meeting.