My first day at the Cycling House has me fixated on how I can possibly turn pro. Could this really be what life is like for a professional cyclist?

Today I awoke to the smell of amazing coffee, ate banana strawberry pancakes I didn’t make myself, watched my bike be assembled for me, spent a leisurely hour stretching and doing core strength in the warm, beautiful Arizona sunshine and then set out for a 4 hour, 70 mile training ride among cactus and blue-bird skies. This was all in good company. Just to make sure I had it all right, after a long recovery stretch, late afternoon lunch (also prepared for me) and an hour long siesta, I watched the movie Overcoming, a documentary about the pro cycling team CSC and their season surrounding the 2004 Tour De France to examine the pro lifestyle. Yup…life at the Cycling House is fit for a pro. The focus is purely cycling, cycling and more cycling.

Today was a day of firsts. First day riding in Arizona. First time riding my new carbon fiber Felt F1C road bike. First day riding a compact crank. First time in almost 5 months riding on a real road, not on a trainer. First day of the year I got to work on my hideous cyclist’s tan, one that only a true rider takes pride in. First day, I think ever, that the only thing I had to do all day was do what I 110% love to do…Ride.

Tonight I’ll fall asleep on quite possibly the most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept on to dreams of doing all day and every day what I did today. Good thing I’ll wake up for the next 5 days to a dream come true!

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