Taking a timeout ...

Looks like I'll be off the bike for a while (grrr!). A few years ago I hurt my right leg (somewhere in the front of the thigh) on the last 35 miles of a Century. I had to ride through it as it was an unsupported Century. Lately it has been sore while riding. If I stomp (spin at a rate less than 90 rpm and above 18 mph) it hurts a lot, if I spin (spin at a rate above 90 rpm and above 17 mph) it hurts less. But lately its been hurting more. On one Century I made it 100 miles and my leg began to get sore the last three miles I was reduced to 12 mph (from my normal 18 - 19 mph). I've completed 11 Centuries since May so I know how I should feel and this didn't feel right. I've also begun to momentarily lose control of my right leg while climbing stairs and I've had a variety of pains in my leg. It's time to let a doctor look at it. Worst part is I just found out about the Century-a-Month club. I was looking forward to riding a century every month. April through December are easy enough to ride through as it's warm enough (above 40F). I could sneak in a Century on the first/second of January. It's usually warm enough for a Century. I figured that February (snow, cold and wind) and March (rain and wind) would be my troublesome month. February is just nasty with temperatures down in the upper 20's and low 30's as a high. It's also windy and the lovely idle farm fields are covered with snow. Wind chill on a Century now that's something to look forward to, remember to dress warmly. Maybe I should fill my camelbak with Expresso? ;-)