Hello MTBNJ gang! I've been quite absent. After my son was born in mid-September, I just haven't found time to post or check in.
I joined a road team, hired a real life coach, and have been pouring much of my free time into training on the road with some minor success. A few top 10s in the Cat 4's and way better fitness than I've ever had in the past. I even convinced
@1sh0t1b33r and
@StayHydrated to race in Fort Lee last weekend.
@1sh0t1b33r told me that I'm not slow anymore.
Things took an interesting turn in the late spring when I was approached to interview for a position at an endowment in Ann Arbor, MI. Originally it seemed like a crazy idea but both me and my wife burning the candle at both ends with a kiddo in the mix made the thought of a simpler life very appealing. One thing led to another and I recently accepted the position so I'm in the last days of work in NYC before we close up life on the east coast and head out (mid)west. The organization is a big upgrade for me with more potential for professional growth without working 70 hours a week.
I never ended up buying a MTB. I needed a contractor to do some renovations to build out bike storage but it was impossible to find anyone in Hoboken so it never materialized. Two contractors came out to take a look but then my calls were never returned and the estimates they promised never materialized. I
HAVE ridden a MTB in Michigan though! When I was out scoping out the town for a weekend, one of the guys from the company took me out to the
DTE Energy Foundation trail which was pretty tame but fun nonetheless.
I'll be focusing on the MICX this fall which isn't as robust as cyclocross in the Northeast but part of the relocation is a desire to find a simpler life and not racing a 100 person cat 3 field is part of that. Once we get through our first Michigan winter and get set up, a MTB will likely be a necessity with so many trails around.
I'll be back on the east coast a lot for work and to visit family so I won't be totally gone, unless the Midwest really is
that good.