I'm back to blogging, and back to racing

Well, that was a long, unexplained absence from the blog.

Let me apologize. The reason for my unplanned break from regular updates was a business trip to Monterey, California (yes, again), where I attended an event with Specialized Bicycles, at which they launched there new bikes and products for 2012.

While a trip like that certainly came with plenty of notice, I had thought that I'd have time to blog while away. Such, obviously turned out not to be the case. between sitting in classroom sessions learning about new technologies, riding the new products, and socializing with other members of the cycling media, there was no time leftover for GBBM.

Anyhow, I got home at about 2 a.m. last Thursday morning, got up and went to work, then jumped on a 2:30 p.m. bus to head into the city for a Tour de France viewing party, sponsored by Bicycling Magazine. After the party (which was legitimized by a bar fight over a well-inked woman), and after drinks with some of our NYC-based co-workers, the PA crew and I again got home at about 2 a.m.

After work on Friday, I headed briefly to The Velodrome, then drove into the city to race in Prospect Park on Saturday morning. When I finally got home after racing and riding away most of the afternoon, it was time to eat a burrito then chill with some of my high school friends.

So, I may not have been blogging, but I've certainly been keeping busy.

Of all of those many activities, the one I'm most excited to write about tonight is, of course, Saturday's race in Prospect Park. Although I did enter a training race last week, this was my first real race back since my injury. It felt pretty fast to me, but I was able to do my usual Prospect Park thing, which is to move around the pack, advance (and sometimes attack on the hill), and generally stay near the front.

Although there were a few small moves, including one that I got in with about three laps to go, and lasting about half a lap, but nothing was sticking. With two laps remaining, it was clear that the race was coming down to a field sprint, and all the usual suspects were heading to the front of the peloton. So, Roberto, Sergio and I did the same, and were in a good position as we headed out on the bell. As the least skilled bunch sprinter of the three of us, I position myself as the set up man, with Roberto to handle the final lead out for Sergio.

I wound up hitting the front a little early, and put in a big pull to the top of the climb, then swung off, having emptied my (still recovering) tank. Roberto took over, and lead out the sprint, and Sergio held on to take 7th place. Roberto crossed in 14th. Considering that the three of us hadn't raced together in a while, it was a pretty good effort. Plus, $70 was more than adequate for lunch.

Good times, it felt really great to be back racing, and to see that I was not only fit enough to sit in, but still fast enough to participate in the race. The real challenge, of course, will come this coming weekend, when I head up to Massachusetts for the Tour of the Hilltowns. Attacking in Prospect Park is one thing, if I can hang in on the major Berkshire climbs, then I'll really know that I'm back.

One thing is clear, though, I'm back to blogging, and happy to be here!