"When there's a hill to climb, don't think that waiting will make it smaller."

-H. Jackson Brown Jr.

My brother and sister-in-law are visiting from the Midwest. This is the first time in all the years they've visited that they've brought their road bikes. My bro arrived with 100 miles on his bike this year; my sister-in-law had 500 miles on hers.  In the last 4 days I've taken them on many of the "Boulder Classic" routes - we've hit Jamestown, Eldorado Springs, Niwot's 7 Sisters, Hygiene, Cherryvale to Marshall Mesa, Valmont-95th-Lookout, and the thoroughfare connectors of Boulder Creek Path. 

I've jumped in alongside their enthusiasm to hit the famous rides in Boulder even though I haven't ridden as much as I've wanted to. They've gone after it without complaint, except the understandable comment on our cruel lack of oxygen. I know people who spew reasons/excuses of un-logged miles in this season. I have to admit I've come up with my own fair share. "I have to ride before I ride with a group." "I hate the wind." "I don't have 2 hours so I'll just go for a run." But here's the deal: Unless we jump in and start pedaling, we're never going to get to where we need to be mentally or physically.

I like to appreciate and adapt the mentality of visitors. It's like Manhattanites who begin to take NY's skyline for granted until awe is rekindled by a newcomer.  My family would look up and say "this is incredible" and "we have good riding but nothing like this." Look at where we live. Get out there. There's no gold embossed invitation in our mailboxes to go for a ride in perfect conditions. Sometimes you just have to get out there and climb that hill. The views from the top will be just as good whether you do it now or later in the season.