So far so good.

 This past Sunday marked a very great and inspiring day. First and foremost, I had the day off from doing any sort of unwanted work that I have every other day of my life, so the day is fresh and full of opportunity! More importantly, my beauty of a bike is all built and ready to be let off it's leash. My boyfriend and I, along with a few other guys all met up for a ride at Massasoit State Park in North Taunton an all time favorite ride spot of ours, and coincidently the location for the second Root 66 mountain bike race; that I am now even more excited about!

    I was a little nervous for the ride at first, mainly because riding with a bunch of guys is a bit overwhelming, but it definitely took a turn for the good. My bike must have special effects built into it because I have never felt faster, stronger, or more fearless in any ride I have ever done. Typically I can make it up a few climbs in Massasoit, and struggle with about half, haha oh no...not on Sunday. I bursted with lightning force up every single climb on the ride, with really no need to stop at the top and pat myself on my back because I just wanted to keep going. My bike has changed my riding skills for the better. I usually turn into a small crying child when I see logs that I have to get over, once again, not on Sunday. There were a few in the beginning that stopped me in my tracks, but after a while I just stopped thinking about them, and plowed my way over the logs, lifting my front end like my boyfriend always tells me.

   I tried to focus on not using my breaks as much going downhill; success. My boyfriend and a BikeBarn buddy flew by me, twisting and turning down a steep single track downhill, full of rocks and roots. I said screw it, Let's see if I can keep up. With minimal pull from my right hand on the breaks, I flew down the hill, 20 feet behind the boys, creeping up a few seconds behind them. My boyfriend was shocked at how close I was, usually expecting me to come peddaling along minutes later, with a tight grip on my breaks. I focused a lot of my attention on pulling up when riding, and essentially, speed.

   The conclusion of this drawn out story about my ride is the fact that I think this is the beginning of my potential of going somewhere with biking. I feel all of my positive thoughts about riding pro and doing well at races is attracting all positive outcomes, such as, this past Sunday's ride. I just need to keep riding as much as I can, and build up more of my bike fitness and speed and there is no stopping me! I can gladly say that I rode my bike, it did not ride me.

3 more Sundays until my first race that kicked my butt last year....

but this time I've got..........................BIKE FEVER!