I hadn't been on my bike in 10 days. That is a REALLY long time for me since I usually ride 4-5 times per week. The weather just really hasn't been on our side here in Chicago - until today. It was cold out this morning (38F) but sunny and quickly getting warmer. Most of my usual riding partners were busy or out of town, and I didn't really feel like riding alone (needed the motivation of a group) so I joined the shop ride that I had been avoiding all season because people had told me it was a group of really fast, competitive, guys. But it was my only choice for a group ride this morning, so I gave it a try. Yeah, it was a challenge, but definitely not killer. Good group of guys that works really well together. 50 mile ride with the group, plus 20mi additional to get too and from the ride start. So in the end, I got a challenging but fun 70miles in today in (finally) nice, sunny, weather. I truly hope we have more days like today before winter sweeps through Chicago.