Do Not & Do

Don't look now but it is December. Seems like only yesterday we were riding in the sun, sweat pouring off our brows like a cascading waterfall. NTL, here we are, watching the closure of the 2010 door as we prepare to open the portal of 2011.

With more of the same to follow. More work, more training, smarter training, more rides, longer rides, longer rides to more exotic ports of call. More runs, faster runs, harder runs, happier runs. I suppose we don't talk much about swimming here. Maybe we'll declare August '11 RCVman swim month (or maybe not).

There are a couple of details left to manage before we refrain into Auld Lang Syne, and they are:

Numero Uno: As many of you have heard (via our ultra-slick marketing machinery) today is the start of the December "No Bread" month. Fairly crusty concept, designed to knead out the wheat from the chaff and find if this long time staple is more foe than friend. No bread for 31 days. To add some science to the test, we did a Tanita Body Composition Analysis this morning before class. Here are my starting metrics:

Weight: 168 lb.
BMI: 24.1
FAT %: 9.2

There are other numbers that aren't important to this test, and with the Tanita error factor at +/- 3%, this is so-so info, but it is something. The idea is to see what happens with a single change, and in this case substituting fruit for morning toast, veggies for the noon sandwich and salad for the dinner rolls. Thirty-one days. Here we go.

I was also asked what other refined and processed grains were included in this test, so a few of them are pictured above courtesy of the local Safeway Bakery department. Also out are crackers, rolls, cookies, tortillas, pitas, flatbread, and anything that wraps up anything else. Knishes, pirogies, raviolis, pretzels, pot stickers, poppers and especially fruitcake. OMG.

Refined and/or processed. Out until Jan. 1, 2011. We will then take another Tanita reading and that will conclude the test. My training will remain intact and unchanged during the month, in order to provide a fair test sampling.

Numero dos: The final countdown is under way for the CompuTrainer Mexico Cruise. The details are coming together nicely as I have been on all week with the tour guides, Alex in PV and Rudy in Mazatlan, to ensure that our outside rides are fun filled and safe. I built the CT 10 mile TT yesterday and later today I will take a test ride and see how she rolls. The biggest challenge remaining is to figure out how I am going to watch the Apple Cup which kicks-off at 4, when the Oosterdam pulls anchor at 5. Maybe the Huskies can go up by three TDs early so I don't have to worry about it!

There is your December one news, VBA. Enjoy the ride.

Pix: At top: Cabo (do this). No-Nos for December (don't do this).