What To Do Now?

I'm feeling somewhat lost in my training now.  Though I was not to be focused on one particular race this year I have found that Lotoja gave me a purpose and goal that was easy to train for because you knew that if you didn't you would be in world of trouble.  I also feel a sense of relief.  I don't have to be riding for a purpose except to have fun.  I can ride whenever and wherever I like.  I don't have to worry about peaking or tapering.  If I feel like riding up Little Cottonwood I can.  f I feel like taking it easy, no problem.  There is a definite sense of freedom now, but still I feel somewhat lost.

I was back on my bike on the Monday after Lotoja just to do an easy spin-out of the legs.  I could feel a bit of knee pain but for the most part I felt good.  I didn't get back into full rides until later in the week and now I'm back to riding ever day feeling great, but like I said, with no real training plan in mind.  Really, I guess my plan is to enjoy the good weather while it lasts, ride the canyons with the amazing fall colors, and wait for the snow to come.  (In fact, I had a skiing dream last night, and it was all in Italian.  It was awesome.)

With my training this year I think I peaked a little too early.  I think I rode perfect as far as distance and climbing where concerned but I don't think I got the timing just right because by the end of August I was feeling a little tired.  Next year I'm going to try to hold myself back at the end of winter/beginning of spring and time my training schedule a bit better.  It's hard because of the lack of riding you get during the dark winter and riding the rollers can get boring but I'm going to try.

One thing I've decided to do is change my set-up of my bike a little bit.  It's not a big deal but I figure now is the time to do it, with plenty of time for my body to adjust.  Below are pictures of the before and after set-ups.  Can you tell the difference?

Besides the fact that I have a new saddle, which I changed months ago, there is something different, and I'll give you a hint.  It has to do with the stem.  Yes, I flipped my stem so that it is angling straight instead of up.  This puts me in a more aggressive, aerodynamic position.  It's also a little bit more of an uncomfortable position, but so far so good.  Like I said, I have plenty of time to get used to it.