So after about four weeks off, which included time spent sledging in Switzerland, some time spent covering ‘Cross Worlds in the Netherlands, and time spent spacing out on the sofa on Valium because of a back injury, I’m back on the bike. Started up easy this week, with a couple of rides in the rain on my singlespeed, and progressed to some solid, if not exactly long, rides on the road bike over the weekend.

Saturday was a rare February day here in Brussels, warm (at least in contrast to the typical February day in New Hampshire) and sunny, and the perfect day to start the very gradual return to serious training. I headed out on a route that follows the canal and loops through farm fields to the south west of Brussels, a route that has become a favorite of mine since I first rode it sometime last fall. (Map here for the curious.)

I felt good, if a little slow by the end. I’m clearly out of shape, especially for longer rides, having spent most of my training time for the past few months focused on the short hard efforts that get you ready for 40 minute ‘cross races.

But the ride was pretty, with great views as it crests the tops of several treeless hills, horses watching from their pastureland along the course, and a chance to watch some model stunt planes flying around kilometer 22 (see the map). I came back and watched the miserable looking weather for the Tour of California prologue, and thought that it must be awfully rare for the weather in Belgium to be better than the weather in California in February.

Sunday wasn’t as nice, and I did one of those rides, with light snow falling for most of the way, where I have to keep telling myself that I’ll be glad I did it come june. I headed out through the Forêt de Soignes into the towns of Hoeilaart and Overijse, riding up and down the rolling hills that border the main street of both towns. Remarkable, for a second day in a row the weather was better in Belgium than in California. Now I think I’m officially back in the swing of things, training full time. I’ll go easy for a couple more weeks, then start really turning up the volume and doing some nice long rides as the weather (hopefully) starts to warm up.

Meanwhile, much of my time during the last week or so has been spent talking to and emailing with riders from ‘cross Worlds for an article for Issue 6 of Cyclocross Magazine. I’ve got some great stuff, with the inside story from the US National team, and I think it’ll be a good article. If you haven’t already and you’re into ‘cross, I highly recommend subscribing.