I’m sitting by a pool in Phoenix right now, enjoying the fact that I’m in phoenix and it’s not 100 degrees. I’m also kind of enjoying the fact that I’m not in flag right now, because, according to the weather report, it’s 45 and raining. Then again, it’s probably snowing up on the peaks again (there was some last weekend) which is exciting.

The bike is here, so maybe some shredding on south mountain today? Yeah, that’ll do.

I got out of a couple more rides this week, one over to the backside of Elden and up Little Bear and another one up Rocky Ridge and the road on Elden. I haven’t done either of those in a while, so it was nice to get out on some of my old standby rides. Climbing Little Bear still remains one of my favorite climbs. It’s just so perfect for a singlespeed.

Technical sections where you really have to push through, a nice grade for sitting down every now and then, some killer views, and about 20-30 minutes of solid climbing. You can’t ask for much more than that.

As you’ve probably noticed, I’ve been winding down a bit on the riding front. I think a good portion of it is due to the darkness after work. I’ve gotten in the routine of commuting, so I’m home by about 5/5:15 every day, which isn’t a big problem for riding after work if it’s light until 7:30 or later, but these days lights are pretty much mandatory after about 6:15/6:30. That gives me just enough time to get up Elden, up Weatherford, or somewhere in the middle of Little Bear if I don’t have lights. Then I still have to get back somehow.

Now, I’m sure you’re saying to yourself “But Nathan, you HAVE lights, I’ve seen them. Don’t you remember in Old Pueblo last year when I came by you at 2 in the morning and you had your lights blazing. Now granted, you were to messed up at that point to really be watching where you were going, but you had lights!”.

Yes, that is true. I do have lights, and I’ve been using them. I’ve just been a little low on the motivation front. That’s OK, it happens every year. I’ll get into the winter riding routine soon enough, and from the looks of it, ski season is just around the corner.

The only question remaining is what races to put on the schedule for the rest of the year. Some of the options being considered are as follows:

• NMES Zuni 100 – Next weekend (10/18). Last NMES race, around gallup area. I’ve heard good things about this course, it’s the closest NMES to flag, and it might be a good way to wind down for the winter if I don’t start stomping some more longer miles again.
• 24 hours of Fury – (11/8) 24 hour race down at McDowell mountain. I’m not super-psyched on the course, but I didn’t get my fall 24 hour race in this year, so I’m considering hitting this one up. Riding laps at McDowell isn’t exactly the greatest 24 hour course around, but it’s not super-expensive, and it could be a good time.
• Dawn to Dusk – (12/6) Again, at McDowell. This may be more bearable, riding laps for 12 hours instead of 24. Paying money for a race still hurts though. . . I’m so spoiled.
• Kentucky Camp Epic – (12/13) Again, heard good things about the course, but this is a haul for me for a weekend. It’s another hour or so past tucson which brings the drive up to a nice 7 hours or so once all is said and done. It’s also a couple months off still, so my leg conditioning could be uncertain. The nice thing is that it’s free, so I can always decide last minute.

I’m open to suggestions if anyone else has any ideas. Throw ‘em out here.

Oh yeah, and in case you were thinking of doing solo at OP, there were 20 spots left this morning, get your registration in soon.