As the Gene Autry and Aerosmith songs go, I’m back. I’m back in the saddle again. I’ve put in some decent mileage on the bike since returning from China. And yes, I’m a bit saddle sore.
It’s good to be home, especially from a cyclist’s standpoint. It’s good to be back where the roads are less crowded and the people are in less of a hurry. For such a small country as Hong Kong – one is never more than a 70 minute drive from anywhere – people drive entirely too fast. And they zig-zag around cars and bikes like they were road cones. So if you see a cyclist on the road, avoid hitting them. And don’t get mad; they pay taxes for those roads as well.
I had hoped that upon my return, I would be able to have a few solid races before Amateur Nationals in Alabama on August 22nd. Unfortunately, I had a flat at mile two of the Chattanooga Riverfront Triathlon two weekends ago, a triathlon which I felt prepared to “crush.” This is the same course on which I flatted last year when I hit a recessed man hole in the pouring down rain. So maybe I’m not meant to do that race next year.
Now I am focused on this weekend’s Nashville Triathlon. It’s a downtown venue starting at LP field. The swim takes place in the shadows of downtown, so that should be unique. And the bike goes out the scenic and flat Ellington Parkway. Finally, the run winds around downtown. Should be fun. If you’re in Nashville on Sunday morning, come out and watch. The race begins at 7:30.