PACC Training camp was recently concluded just outside of sunny Fredericksburg Texas. Yes, the skies were a beautiful crystal blue, and the few wispy white clouds danced about the sky as if it was their own playground. Temperatures reached the mid sixties and all was well as we departed for our respective homes on Martin Luther King day. The weather that I write of was not always this beautiful and romantic for this edition of training camp.
Temperatures in the lower 40's and a spattering of rain greeted us as we arrived to camp around noon on friday. This resulted in only a handful of souls braving the conditions. Chilled to the bone and dripping wet my teammates returned spouting wild tales of tire and tube eating pavement monsters that resulted in 10 flats among 12 riders. Not a great way to get things rolling. The next day was almost as gloomy and cold. Although angry skies loomed and the wind howled the majority of us were able to put in a very solid 85 miles of training. 85 hard miles! Lets just say that faces and countenances were a bit long on saturday night. I would imagine that the long faces were attributed in part to the days' ride but also in part to the 85 miles that await on the morrow.
Sunday morning came and brought ample sunshine and noticeably warmer temperatures. I for one do not remembering pedaling a single pedal stroke. Our 85 mile journey meandered from just north of fredericksburg all the way down to comfort and back again. The route seemed dead pan flat when compared to the previous days route. A few notable climbs and descents peppered the way back. Minus the lunch stop in comfort our ride flowed very nicely and put us back in camp at a reasonable hour.
Sunday Night at the dinner table was an interesting sight. I saw quite a few people staring blankly at the wall with expressionless faces. The strain and stress from the previous 2-3 days was glaringly evident.
Mondays’ ride was talked about as a “recovery” ride. HA, I thought to myself, these guys don’t know how to spell recovery. It’s only 55 miles right? Well, less than 4 miles into the ride as my heart rate was nearing threshold I wondered if these guys recalled the word recovery. Soon after that first bit of aggression things mellowed out, until we saw the “fang” looming in the distance. What is the "fang" you might ask...well you just have to see it to believe it. As we approached I could feel the nerves tighten and the pace lighten in anticipation of the upcoming effort. Fortunately, most of us lived to tell about it. There were a few unlucky souls who to my knowledge are still trying to crest the peak. It was “on” after that, attacks and counter attacks were the order for the remainder of the day. For some brutal and unknowing reason the worst climb(steepest, longest, and it just so happened to be into a 20mph headwind) of the whole camp came at mile 53 out of 55 on the last day!! Thanks Micheal!! There were reports of a certain Mr. Moran uttering the words “God, I may have to get off and push this thing!!” I wore a blank expressionless stare to the lunch table on this day. I know I ate and talked to peeps but I have no clue who I spoke to or what really went on.
Training camp was a great 3-4 days of training in a very beautiful place. I have to say without the unending hospitality of Cindy Young and her entourage we would have all been hungry and probably eating fast food in Fredericksburg or ham and cheese sandwiches in our rooms. Instead, we had a better than restaurant quality breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. We literally rode our bikes, dismounted our bikes, walked into the dining area and ate a home cooked meal. Truly this was the best part of camp. Thanks definitely does not say enough!! Another thanks goes out to Micheal Young for organizing camp in every regard, from scouting the bike routes, securing lodging, and providing support and coordination during our rides. He did it all. And Jana who drove, drove, and drove that support vehicle some more there is a special place in my heart for you!
I really feel like the team came together on and off the bike. There were some new faces, including mine, and it seems that we were all welcomed with open arms. PACC is truly a great club made up of committed, supportive, and talented individuals. I am glad to have a part in such a team.
Me thinks we are off to a great start!!
I see my path, but I do not know where it leads. Not knowing where I'm going is what inspires me to travel it.
-rosalia de castro-
