As good a time as any

Well, it's snowing. You get that sometimes in Nebraska. Also, it's cold. Really, really cold — and it's only going to get worse, apparently. Sweet.

The upside is that I'm off today anyway. And I work in a bike shop, where we have heat and coffee in abundance. Also, it's a rest week. I'll ride a little today and a little tomorrow, but it's all about recharging the batteries this week. I felt pretty good by the end of last week, and was able to rip through a pretty substantial — and painful — trainer workout on Sunday. It was a nice way to cap that phase.

But now, with extra time on my hands and nothing but my imagination to keep me busy, it's time to get the 2011 schedule out there. Unlike past years, where I put everything out there (and it read more like a wish list), this is what I'm actually planning on doing, barring anything strange coming up.

April
10 — Twin Bing Classic
16-17 — UNL Cycling Weekend

May
20-21 — Flatwater Cycling Weekend
28-29 — Snake Alley, Melon City Crit

June
4-5 — Norfolk Classic/State criterium
25 — State time trial

July
10-11 — BBQ Criterium/road race
16-17 — Omaha Cycling Weekend

August
7 — Centurion Gran Fondo (tentative)
13-14 — East Village Crit/Big Creek Road Race
20 — Gravel Worlds*

September
10-11 — UNL Cycling Weekend

You probably saw the asterisk on August 20. Gravel Worlds. It's not the gravel, the heat, the hills or the distance causing the asterisk. August 20 is Jack's birthday.

So while I really want to do Gravel Worlds, it won't be at the expense of family time or a birthday party. If the party is the next day, on Sunday, it's a different story. Regardless, I'm not going to go too crazy worrying about it. It's less a race and more of a feat of strength.

But anyway, that's that. I'm aiming specifically at the Memorial Day Weekend races, along with Omaha and the UNL races. If something else pops up, I might jump in. For now, though, this is the plan.

You can make your own plan with the help of the GamJams Midwest Calendar, by the way. All of the Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas road races, along with a good chunk of dirt and 'cross, too.