Why is it some rides are just utterly brutal for no apparent reason?  I had one of those rides yesterday morning, and I’m still baffled by it.  Why?  It was barely a ride at all.

I’m not talking about bonking it the middle of a long, hard ride here, this was a 6.6 mile commute that kicked my ass worse than any century ride I’ve ever done.  I was feeling fine when I left, but about a mile into the commute it just felt like my legs were dying and my lungs were refusing to take in any oxygen.  I felt like puking twice on the ride, and the most stressful part of the ride is the whopping 40 foot “hill” in the middle.  By the time I got to work, I was gasping for air, dripping with sweat, and wobbling on unsteady legs.  It was like I ate some bad oysters in a sweat lodge.

What the hell?  I can do this ride when I’m quite literally sick and tired.  I can do it in 105 degree temperatures.  I can do it while toting 20 pounds of clothes, lunch, and other gear in my bag.  Why could I barely do it yesterday morning?

I guess these are just the little mysteries of life that help keep cycling interesting.  Or maybe it’s just my fat ass telling me I really need to get serious about the training again.  Whatever it was, next time just send me an email.