Happy RAGBY: Sad RAGBY

Well, it's February.  That means a few things.  

1. The RAGBRAI route is posted, and I think it is awesome.  

2. I have wrapped up the blogging regarding the previous RAGBRAI, so I am cleared to think about the future RABRAI.

3. I am pasty white, and the weather, is making me sad and mad.

But, there was a time when I wasn't so pasty, and that time was and will be RAGBY (I can't be bothered to hold the shift for an extra two letters anymore.  Blame February.)

Thinking about the RAGBY is what gets me through the February.  And, here's what I am thinking today.  

After blogging about the most challenging RAGBY of my 3-year-RAGBY career, and, naturally, comparing that RAGBY to the prior RAGBYs, I came to an important and foregone conclusion.  

Happy RAGBY is a slim RAGBY.  

Sad RAGBY is a fat RAGBY.  

That's it.  The fatter you are, the sadder you are on a bike.  Except, when there are headwinds, when everyone is miserable.  And, except when you are going down hill, but I am scared to go down hill, so that cancels out.  

Here's the evidence: 

Happy RAGBY

Despite the road rash and a pretty severe case of rain related bicycling anxiety, RAGBY 2010 was RAGBY heaven. 

Sad RAGBY

And here I am, in 2012, quite a heavy chuck heavier.  Sad RAGBY.  Tears RAGBY.  I-am-never-leaning-over-for-a-picture-again RAGBY.

Don't get me wrong, I still had a blast, but it wasn't as magical as it could have been, if it has been a slim RAGBY.  Perhaps the distinction in these images is not apparent to folks that are not used to assessing varying degrees of chunk, but let me assure you, 2012 offered quite a bit more rolling resistance.  

So, here's what I am thinking.  This year we make our triumphant return to the town where it all started for me, that magical land on the Missouri, that oasis on the prairie, the town that put the oess in Loess, Counciltucky.  

That summer, I was fresh off the Juice challenge and losing the RAGBY Royalty challenge.  It was a good time in Half the Rice land.  I need to get back there.  Back to my original RAGBY weight, at least!  

But how?!?

Over at Run Teacher Run, the Mayor gave up BEER!  And Steven started the epic Febulaton, of walking every day.

I need to get me some of that!  But I missed the start of the Febulationiation, so, instead, I am going to do something for Lent.  Forty days of weight loss!  (Okay, 38 days.  The Opera Gala and St. Patrick's Day are in there).  See mom, Catholic school wasn't a total waste of money!  

But, what should I do for Lent, readers?

Paleo Diet?

Low-carb?

No baked goods?

No processed foods?

No booze?

1,500 calories?

Juicing?  

Tap worms?

Why am I quibbling here?  Because, I am lacking in confidence.  I don't know what to do, because I have zero confidence in my will power to stick it out.  Because, I have yet to be good at sticking things out, except, back in 2010.  

I can tell the Tiger is getting frustrated with my plan-waffling, with Fat Tuesday only a week away.  RAGBY is only 165 days away.  I need advice!  Comments, please!