The Fit Recovery Cycling Dictionary defines “Carbon Fiber” thusly:

Carbon Fiber

ˈkärbən ˈfībər

Noun

See also:  Awesome

Enough said.

We’ve all had those days where we just want to, after a tough day, put on our pajamas, curl up into a ball on the couch with Bourne Legacy playing in the background as we drift off to sleep.

Let me tell you, I have had a lot of those as the days have gotten shorter and markedly colder.  My body, if I “listen to it”, is saying, “Yo, you’re stressed the f*** out and you need to sleep for a week.  Or two”.

It hits me, like a warm blanket and curling up with my wife on the couch, on the way home from the office.  My eyes start to drooping, my head lowers just an inch, and my shoulders drop just a little.

By the time I walk in the door my body is saying, “Aw yeah, let’s take a little nappy”.

Only one member of my melon committee is saying, “But dude, we gotta roll!”

I hate that feeling.  I want to be excited about having the opportunity to ride after work!  I hate those days where “meh” sums up how I feel about my daily ride.  But they happen.

Some days I do take a fifteen minute nap before I ride, and that does the trick.  Others, I know what happens if I close my eyes…  I’m out for the count.

These are tough days.  Those were once days off.  I used to give in and curl up, not caring about the ramifications.  I used the dopey, “Well, my body says I need a nappy, by golly I gotta nappy… 😥😂😍😢”

Not today.  And certainly not yesterday going back more than five years…

My penchant for wanting to stay home and lick my nuts (in canine parlance) used to be unbeatable.  I was incapable of putting up a decent fight against the desire to take a rest day once the melon committee got involved.

Today I have a different attitude.  And a bike.  It’s the days I want to throw in the towel that are most important for me to get out the door and take my daily two-wheeled stress medication.  It’s those days I have to get it done.

I no longer fight getting suited up, even if I have the thought now and again that I’d rather not.  I just do – and once I’m suited up, my heart starts a pumpin’ and there’s no holding me back.  Ridin’ baby!

This is my simple trick to always staying on Go:  I suit up and show up.  Once I’m dressed, the rest works itself out.

There will be plenty of time for sleep later, when I’m dead.  Till then, Rollin’, baby!

Interestingly, I’ve never woken up from a nap or a deep sleep smiling like that.  I have, however, finished every bike ride except two with that smile on my face.  That would be two, out of one thousand five hundred eighty-seven. Give or take.