Last Mountain Century Of The Season…
This Sunday, I’m pedaling in the Bridge to Bridge Mountain Century. 
It starts in Lenoir and has always ended at the top of Grandfather Mountain. But because of construction at the top of the mountain (right)… it will end just before that final climb. It takes away what’s been a grand finish for 19 years… with a killer pitch (below) and switchbacks. Oh well… there’s still 10,600 feet of climbing.
I’m ready for the ride… and I look forward to the rest after. I know we’ve all been in that boat. We say we’re going to take some time off the bike but 
how long can we go. I don’t care if it gets cold, I’ll still ride. I just think it’s the mentality of cyclists not wanting to lose the form we worked so hard to achieve. I’m not saying I would hang the bike up for hibernation and crappy eating… I’m just saying backing off the current discipline isn’t going to be easy.
You know what I mean, right?
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WILL — yes… good points and I am already the proud owner of some winter gear… but no balaclava yet. Hasn’t been that cold here in the past. Good thought on the sneaking by!
Have a great time at the century! If it doesn’t rain, I am riding the last 40 km tt of the season here. This will take me just over an hour, and then I will kick my feet up and enjoy a malt-based, high-carbohydrate isotonic recovery beverage. Oh yes, the course will be totally flat too.
SPROCKETBOY — I sense a little poke of fun there that I’ll be in the saddle much longer while your feet are up and you’re enjoying that beverage. Your Sunday (including the totally flat course) sounds nice my friend but I must say when I sip MY “malt-based, high-carb and isotonic recovery beverage” it will certainly be that much more rewarding! 
Now that I’ve got my “new” old bike, I’m really enjoying getting out for a spin. It has been exciting to try to suit up for a chilly ride, but I’ll try to hang tough as long as I can before I have to hit the gym.
When I run, I always figure my body will adjust to the outside temp about 5 - 15 degrees warmer, but boy I’m learning quickly that it is the total opposite when cycling!
Good luck for the race and I know exactly what you mean when you say that it’s hard to have a break from racing. However, I can confirm that the form comes back quickly once you get back into the swing of training after a break and the mind is refreshed and the motivation returns … a break is a good thing. It makes you faster eventually.
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Winter riding is super fun. Just go shopping and buy some fun gear - balaclava, feet warmers, etc. Retire the road bike for a few months and see how much trouble you can get into.
Good luck in your event. Construction? If no-one is looking I expect you can sneak by