I'm Backkkkk.....

Well I took off 2015 from blogging and racing to relax and regroup. That doesn't mean I slacked off. Just means I wanted to remember what it was like to just have fun without a rigid training schedule. After training most of 2014 for the MI Titanium full aquabike race I was a bit burnt out and had some issues with rotator cuff tendinitis. So I gave myself permission to have a year of FUN.

I ended the year with over 5,700 miles on the bike, just a little bit of swimming and LOTS and lots of fun. Here's just some of the highlights for the year.

- March, Mitch and I took a trip out to California for nine days of riding with the Sacramento Wheelmen. This included Davis, Sacramento and Santa Cruz.
- May, our annual trip to Lexington, KY for the Horsey Hundred
- June - Headed to New Haven, MI for a century ride. We hooked up with a group early on in the ride and it turned out to be my fastest century yet!!
- July - Mitch and I competed in a two person time trial. This was Mitch's first TT and it was great that we could compete as a team. It required teamwork, encouraging one another and communications skills. I'm thrilled to say we took 3rd place, averaging 20 mph for the 50K and had a great time.
- August - Our annual Amishland ride in Indiana and Michigan. Weather was great, roads were okay. We did our typical century on Saturday. Always a good time.
- September - Off to South Dakota for a week of trail riding and hiking with my friend Ella. Her bucket list is to ride in every US state. SD was her 45th state. You can read about the trip, which was definitely one of the highlights of my year of fun.
- October - Competed in a fat tire cyclocross race. This was billed as a "fun race" and that it was. Pouring rain, 50 degrees and 4" of mud on the course. Add to that 13 guys and me for a wild good time. The event was Rhythm and Blues with a Blues Brothers theme. I dresses as "The Penguin" in a nun habit and robe. It was on Halloween so I fit right in.
- November/December - In Chicago the weather isn't always cooperating. So when not road riding, checking out new trails on the Cross or Fat Tire bikes There was an event on the Lake Michigan Beach in Zion. My first time fat biking on sand. Loads of fun and can highly recommend it.

Rhythm and Blues Halloween Fat Tire Race (Blues Brothers Theme)

I've decided that 2016 will be back to racing. I plan to go back to Grand Rapids, MI for the MI Titanium. This time a shorter aquabike course...1.2 mile swim and 56 mile bike. I plan to do some other events and hope some traveling. Now just need to get through this crazy Chicago winter.

Still enjoying the ride,
Sheri