Op-ed: Life Update, Winter Training, Storms, and My Next Bike Race

13 January 2024

Lawrence, KS

Hi all! Gabe here from Summit and welcome to 2024. I usually don’t create op-ed/personal entries here on the SSN blog, but I want to change that in 2024. Don’t worry, the nerdy nutrition content isn’t going anywhere. This field is highly…personable- meaning that athletes and clients want to see and hear from the person behind the business. So, welcome!

Snowstorm

Earlier this week, we arrived in Lawrence, Kansas. Now you might recall Lawrence from this past year, as I raced in the Belgian Waffle Ride here in mid-October of 2023. I fell in love with the town, and the gravel here is outstanding. Before we got here, I had images of sunshine, 40-50-degree weather, and hours spent on the gravel bike…. boy was I wrong. On our first day here we experienced a massive storm system, Winter Storm Finn, that immediately set things into reality for me.

A race video from BWR Kansas | October 2023

But that’s not all. Immediately following storm Finn came a cold snap with subzero temperatures. Currently, as of Saturday, we are cooped up in the RV waiting out the cold.

Needless to say, this has been a pretty big disappointment- coupled with a flu/virus that is going on its second week. Don’t worry, it’s not the ‘Rona.

I Miss My Bike

For those following along on social media, you may have seen some posts of mine hinting at the fact that, with all things considered, I have not been able to ride my bike and train for around 2 weeks now. I do have all the equipment to set up my trainer and Zwift however, creating that much humidity in an already crammed space is not a good idea (or so the RV gurus tell me.)

I am blessed to even have the ability to bike the amount that I do... I get that. But it still sucks! I often wake up in the middle of the night to my legs autonomously pedaling. Ok, maybe that is dramatic. But I do dream of vast roads with chonky gravel <3

Hitting the Gym

Athletes are like cockroaches- we always find a way. In lieu of this amazing fantasy of crisp gravel roads and sunny January days, I have opted in at the local gym for running and weight lifting. This will hopefully keep my aerobic base up. But still, the endorphins do not compare to a 3-hour bike ride on some of America’s best gravel.

A recent VLOG I filmed during my first few days in Kansas.

I Start School Again

I am pretty excited for this next semester. I just graduated with my associates in kinesiology in December and will now go on to start my bachelors. I am doing a DPD/bachelors in dietetics. Although I am licensed through NASM and UESCA as a sports nutritionist, I want to be a full-fledged dietitian. I am taking full-time credit hours pretty much from now until 2026. But that’s not all; after that, I have to go to graduate school and do clinical rotations. Yay me!

What’s Next?

We will be here until the end of January, so there is still hope. Once this cold snap is over, it looks like we are getting back into the 40s. Come hell or high water, I will touch Kansas gravel with my bike.

Next Bike Race

My next bike race is quickly approaching- which is causing even more of a pickle. BWR Arizona takes place in the first part of March… we’re getting close. 7 weeks close.

I know, I know- my fitness has not declined that much and I am still working out. Fingers crossed for warmer temps and some sweet outdoor rides.

Just Head South, Dummy

Yep, that’s the plan. See you soon, New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas.