Ode to the off-season

    It starts about the end of August. You look at the race calendar and it's near, but still oh so far. The off-season.

Oh how do I love the off-season?
Debauchery and nothingness is its reason.

A beer in the left-hand, a burrito in the right.
I'll be passed out and fat before the end of the night.

Serious training becomes a thing of the past,
No 5-hour ride in the morning at last!

For a brief moment of time my life becomes normality,
But alas it is not to be my long-term reality.

    I officially started my off-season on October 11th, the day after Texas State Championships. While I wasn't in full on training mode after my arrival back to Texas on the 6th I was still keeping myself in shape. Little did I know the 105-mile race, where I originally placed 8th, would be all for nothing. I was DQ'd for a yellow-line violation along with 3rd through 6th place and a number of other riders.

    Normally I wouldn't bitch about such a thing, but the problem was I knew the yellow line was going to be an issue, so I made a conscious effort not to go across the line. No way you can argue your way out of it after the fact and I reluctantly accepted the officials call. Oh well. I was most upset on missing out on some well wanted drinking money to start off my off-season.

    The next two weeks I visited with old friends and drinking holes, rented a barrage of movies, and just did nothing relating to the bike. I did a bit of running and some light gym work, but the bike was only ridden when I really wanted.

    After two-weeks of Houston I was about ready for a change. So I loaded up the trusty Nissan Sentra and headed to Golden, Colorado. My brother has been going to school up there for the last three years and it's been almost a year since I had last seen him. Top that off with his 21st birthday happening that week and I had to go! On the night of his 21st he drank a margarita bigger than his head! (reference the picture).

    Colorado was great. I've been there on three different occasions and each time it is better. I did some great rides in the mountains with friends. Saw the first snow of the year on Halloween. (20 minutes to clear my car off makes me glad I don't live in a state with consistent yearly snows) I also went snowboarding for the first time ever. It was quite an experience and made the 5 hour ride the next day all that more painful.

    After Colorado I was ready for the bike. Unlike my 2004 season, my 2005 season was already planned and secured. I was ready to get back on the bike and load up the miles into legs to set a solid foundation for next year. I started my winter training with just 3 weeks off the bike (well not completely 'off' the bike). I've already logged in some good miles and even threw in a cross race in there for a bit of fun!

    Every time I come home to Texas I have a bit of a different sensation. This time the feeling was one of everything being oh so foreign. I will always be a Texan at heart, but Belgium is starting to feel more like home. For now I have three more weeks of Texas then it's off to South Africa to meet up with friends and get in 3 months of solid sunny training.

    Tot Ziens,

    -Gregg Germer-