It was great to get out on the road again this weekend after bad weather. Saturday's 40 mile ride
was the warmest of the season so far and we got to ride in shorts without our balaclavas and
winter gloves.  The Lollipop route, as Coach Marc named it, took us up from Morristown through
Peapack and back.  Some really beautiful places we have here in New Jersey. 
I've never really noticed as much as I do now that I'm riding around on a bicycle. 
I struggled with a few of the hills, but both Coach Natasha and Coach Marc gave me great tips
and encouragement and got me over the humps.

Two of our teammates decided to ride a tandem bike on Saturday, a first for our TNT Training
rides and a really wonderful site to see.

Saturday evening I attended a team dinner sponsored by the coaches that was fantastic. 
It was good to get to know my teammates better and to get to socialize outside the training
rides for a few hours.

I attended Sunday's 20 mile recovery ride up in Bedminster.  Pushed through a mildly strong
headwind most of the way, but made it in good time.

I rode a total of 60 miles this past weekend, and with a few days at the gym put in a grand
total of 85 miles for the week.  I can see myself getting better and feel myself getting stronger
with each ride.  I'm really grateful to all the coaches for the amount of support and encouragement
they've given me, I could never have come this far without them.  I'm feeling more confident
about riding Tahoe every day, and I'm even starting to think about rides after Tahoe.

I have to remember to bring the camera next weekend, as some of the places we're riding
through are just so beautiful that I'd like to post some more photos.  I'll also have to enlist
some help in getting some action shots of me and the team actually riding the bikes.

Thanks for checking in and come back soon.  Next weekend is already scheduled for 45 & 20
miles on Saturday and Sunday.  Tahoe is only 14 weeks away and counting...

Have a great week! Z