My definition of a "good day for riding" seems to keep changing. When Stella first came home in December, I decided that it should be about 38 F before I would go out. That has been changing...today it was 27 F - but the sun was shining and it was beautiful. I am still "confined" to a large parking lot complex (until I can take my hand off the bar long enough to signal without almost falling over )

For the first time I felt relaxed during my practice session, and it was fun even if confined to the same series of empty lots and connecting roads. My cadence was picking up, and I could actually coast (my trainer laughs at my tendency to NEVER coast - all of those spinning classes have apparently trained me not to coast...) Sadly my Cateye Strada Cadence computer seems to only be picking up my cadence, it isn't doing well with either speed or distance. I suspect the LBS didn't get the magnet in quite the right location...

Today I met up with some cross-winds while riding down one of the connecting roads, and before long I noted my heart was tripping along quite rapidly - and beating quite hard I didn't have my HR monitor with me, but it was something of a surprise. My cardiovascular endurance has improved significantly, but it was a surprise (and I've more work to do). Guess that I shouldn't have been surprised, it makes sense that it takes more effort to keep the bike going in a wind - cross-wind or not.

I even managed to rip my hand off of the left bar a few times to make a split second hand signal I am feeling like a kid and having a lot of fun - though I admit that the parking lot complex is kind of boring these days...but the adult in me says that I must be comfortable signaling before I graduate to a local park where there will be cars and cyclists...