By Elizabeth Sugar Boese

I just got into biking a couple years ago, signing up for my first race as a solo for the 24 Hours of Moab. For those of you who have experienced the pain and joy of that particularly fun and challenging race, you are probably thinking I was either insane or trained really well that year. Well to put it simply, not quite. I was new to biking – I didn’t know what an interval was, never heard of base miles, and the following rules applied to whether I would be riding on a particular day or not.

Situation: Ice and snow on the road

Then: “Not biking if there’s ice on the ground! I’ll slip and die!”
Now: Ask myself, “Is there enough road to navigate safely between the ice and snow?”

Situation: No ice/snow on the road but snow on the grass

Then: If there’s snow outside, it’s obviously too cold to be out on the bike.
Now: SWEET! CLEAR ROADS!

Situation: Temperature 90 degrees

Then: “I’ll melt.”

Now: “Awesome – get to ride twice today, once in the early morning and once in the evening.”

60 degrees
Then: “I just might roll the bike out today.”
Now: “Balmy!”

30 degrees
Then: “Below freezing? Are you nuts?
Now: “3 layers on top, 2 on bottom, balaclava – good to go!”

25 degrees

Then: “That’s insane! I’m not insane!”
Now: “Add foot heaters and a down jacket and rock it!”

20 degrees

Then: “Go skiing”
Now: “Go skiing”

Situation: It got dark

Then: “That’s a no-brainer. Can’t bike in the dark. D’uh.”

Now: “My FAVORITE time to ride a mountain bike! I love the way the world around me disappears and I am guided by the powerful light… In fact I lead a group every week for a night ride because I love it so much!”

Situation: My chamois is still wet from the wash

Then: “Deal breaker. Need the chamois.”

Now: “Take the other pair! Get the hair dryer out! What – I would never wash my chamois without proper planning for drying time before my next ride.”

Situation: I haven’t eaten yet

Then: “First I got to eat, then I have to wait an hour to digest, then just maybe…”

Now: “Eat on the ride! Simulate race training for 24-hour races.”

It’s amazing how your whole perspective changes when you really love something! I love biking so I’ll do what it takes to make it work so I can go play!

Elizabeth Sugar Boese is a Light & Motion sponsored athlete who loves to conquer challenges. Follow her adventures here: www.TeamCuteness.com