“I want to be thin again.” That thought kept running through my mind as I climbed Wintechog Hill, and every other hill this month.

A couple of years ago was pretty good: I got down to 237. For a guy my height, that's pretty good. Certainly not overweight. But for at least one season, I'd like to be really light. Since I've had my laziest winter since buying the Seven, I have some extra weight to lose (I'm three or four pounds heavier than last year).

Last year I rode 118 times, for a total of 4452.41 miles. (Oh, last year's stats have been updated, and this year's stats are up to date. Finally!) In 2006 I rode 123 times, for a total of 5039.63 miles. In 2005 I rode 123 times, for a total of 5091.29 miles. (Yes, that's weird... those years were practically identical!)

Last year I slacked off early, lost weight slowly, gained it back quickly, rode fewer times and for less miles.

So this year it's going to be different. Something I've kicked around for years but never done (too lazy) is making *all* of my rides into hill rides. Remember that tough, Tuesday-night half century I've been talking about forever (with "insanity hill")? I'm building up to making that my daily route. Basically, I'm going to pretend that I live in a really hilly area, so my main route is going to be the toughest route around.

Already I'm going up Pumpkin Hill and Wintechog Hill on every ride. At the end of Wintechog I turn right onto Route 2 (which is under construction and makes me slightly nervous), and ride past Cossaduck Hill Road on my left. Next month I'm going to change the route, taking out Wintechog and adding in Cossaduck, Gilliver (if its passable) and the two hills of Wyassup. By June I should be doing all of them.

It's going to hurt, but I'm serious about really getting into shape this year. By the PMC (first weekend of August) I want to be in better shape than ever. Lighter, faster, stronger: choose three!

(Note that the "pain" reference is a joke. I love cycling more than ever. Hills do hurt, but that's never going to be "what it's all about.")

Stats: 36.1 miles (58.12 km) in 2h 3' 56" for an average speed of 17.47 mph (28.13 kph).

Stats to date: Rides: 11, Ttl Miles: 275.18, Ttl Time: 15h 56' 4", Avg Miles: 25.01, Avg Minutes: 1h 26' 54", Avg Speed: 17.26 mph