They say all good things must come to an end. Well, I guess mediocre things come to an end too ’cause our racing and riding season is essentially done. We have a few nutjobs still flying the colors during the “Psycho”-cross races, but the majority of us are giving the chamois some time to air out. Daylight saving time is bringing the darkness and the air is getting cold. Our weekly group rides are officially on hiatus.

Don’t loose hope, however, because soon we will re-group for Sunday morning trainer rides indoors at Freewheel Bike. We’ll sweat to the oldies such as “Chris Carmichael Sprinting” or “Spinervals Crank Bending”. We may even be holding these adventures at their new Bike Station on the Midtown Greenway. We’ll take care of that “new bike shop” smell in no time.

In the meantime, here are some things to fill the cycling void:

• Re-introduce yourself to your wife/husband/girlfriend/S.O. Maybe go on a first date… again.

• Buy your kids a present. Make sure to ask your wife how old they are now. Age inappropriate gifts will come up in discussions with psychologists later in your child’s life
• Eat.
• Go to work to look at spreadsheets and TPS reports instead of message boards, blogs, and lame team websites.
• Watch shitty TV.
• Take a class. Something that has nothing to do with bikes such as cooking, music, or yoga. Just be sure not to expose your tan lines in yoga class or you will no doubt find yourself chatting with another cyclist in the room about carbon fiber or your heart rate.
• Grow a moustache. Ironic or unironic. It doesn’t matter. You’ll need it soon enough.
• Shop for real clothes. Your day to day wardrobe should not have come from the bike store.You might want at least one pair of socks that rise above your ankle and your winter jacket doesn’t need to be made by Pearl Izumi.
• Continue to drink beer. duh.
• Stop shaving. Bragging to the women in your office that your legs are smoother won’t get you anywhere.
• Join a cult. Something that no one understands and costs a lot of money. Forces you to buy loads of expensive technical equipment and wear weird clothes. Meets 2-3 times a week for quasi painful “training”. Persuades you to take on a restrictive diet. Then tests you on the weekends with competitions to make you feel that your commitment is inferior.

Thanks for the great season of riding everyone. Check back when the snow flies to find out about the trainer rides.

DS.