Winter takes a break

I keep expecting snow, and those warm winds to turn into icy blasts. Riding my Mukluk, I feel like I should be in a blizzard, Larry’s natural habitat. But this week, winter took a break.

Instead, I got stunning views and, frustratingly, some of the best road riding I’ve had in Montana. Missoula had me craving roads, but Bozeman’s full of them. The roads are dry right now, except for high up on the passes.

This week’s training was brutal. Tough tempo intervals against strong winds. The fat tires on my snow bike added so much resistance, turning my legs into aching lumps. I sweated more than usual, and the sun almost made me feel guilty, like I was breaking a winter rule. But this is Bozeman, a place of clear blue skies and non-stop sunshine. And I can’t complain about the scenery.