Long Live Long Rides

Every winter I struggle with training for the road season. Typically I'm racing by March, like most roadies, so I can't sit on my butt or cross-train too much during the winter. Conventional wisdom says I should be doing long rides to build up a base before the season starts. This totally sucks because it is not very fun to spend a long time outside in spandex in January. And, there are only so many Gossip Girl and Top Chef episodes to distract me while I ride inside. Ever since I started racing bikes, trying to train every winter has involved a lot of frustration and guilt over knowing I should be riding more and being pissed that I don't want to. Boulder must be sneaking some HTFU into its water though, because this winter I might actually ride enough. I've been able to push myself when I hit the I-want-to-go-home mark about an hour into a ride. I've found myself riding for three or four hours when I normally would've stopped at one or two. Weirdest thing of all, I'm having fun. Here there are just so many sweet ride options that it's easy to just go a little more. I haven't lived here long, so there are many roads and even trails for me yet to discover. Add to that all of the people to ride with, and it's instant motivation. Instant motivation not made of carbon fiber...how about that.