It's getting close - the opening race of the 2013 Ascent Cycling Series. Only 20 short days until we get to line up and hear Andy blow his whistle to release us onto the single track. This year might be the best yet with two dates at Palmer Park, two at Bear Creek Terrace and a return to Cheyenne Mountain State Park. I'm looking forward to all of the races, but the one at CMPS is going to be awesome. I don't know what the course is going to be, but everything at CMSP is fun. With five races at three venues, there's no reason not to strap on a number plate for a few or even the whole series. I hope to see all the familar faces and many new ones on the line come June 5th. It's a local throw down on two wheels and as much an annual tradition as any race in town.

It's funny. Last year come June, I felt like I'd been already racing for a whole season. With the focus the RMES, I had been - three races in a month left me tired but eager for some local fun. This year, with just one long race under my wheels I am anxious to start mixing it up. All the training has been leading up to my mid June event and I only have one other race between now and the first Ascent race. Training is fun, but I want to race. I want the sounds of competition, not the silence of my workouts. The intensity may be similar, but suffering in silence isn't as fun as the heckling during races. And my hot laps just don't match the fun of the Ascent Series. More on that later!