Because there really wasn't enough change in my life ...

I can't exactly pinpoint it, but at some point this summer my cycling switch was flipped. The last two years I had been perfectly content with 'just rolling along ..." , but then I moved to Charlotte. Really, there were probably lots of things in play ... not the least of which was that I was in a new place with little to no familiarity, and found the bike to be what I knew best - and a great way to learn my way around the area. Group rides became the obvious and easy way to get out and meet new people. And it was there that I heard about the great NC Cyclocross series ...

Now Cyclocross ... that's really not a version of cycling I'd ever considered before. First of all, in previous years when I was focused only on the road bike, I was quite ready and willing to hang up the wheels for a good off-season rest once the fall rolled around. Secondly, it just looked too painful, and frankly, all that obstacle-course stuff freaked me out. So when I started thinking about (possibly) competing again on the road bike in 2008, I had to come to terms with a few things ... a.) I have had no anaerobic fitness for 2 yrs; and b.) I'm not as confident with my bike handling skills as I will require of myself if I am to race again. You can see where this is going ....

So, within a matter of 6 weeks, I've acquired a smokin'-hot cyclocross bike ('08 Specialized Tricross Expert), got it dialed-in with a sweet cyclocross fit (Wobblenaught!), had several 'private' instructional skill-and-drill sessions (2JohnsCyclingPodcast), attended a brief beginners clinic, attended an intense weekend camp (Asheville Velosports), raced two practice and then two legit cyclocross races. Weird how these things develop a life of their own, isn't it?

Along the way I've had the success of meeting a few new great people and seeing some great new-to-me places. I've even been adopted by a new team - The BMW-Bianchi Women's Cycling Team- how fun!