I just got back from my first ride outside this spring! well, if you could call it spring (i'm on "spring break", even though it's february). it took me a good 10 miles to warm up (stupidly forgot my inhaler, but i managed okay) and I got passed by a good 6 riders (including a mtn biker! with knobby tires!! )
but the ride back home felt soooo good! it's 10 miles out and 10 back. i was pretty slow going out (estimated about 10-15 mph, since i couldn't get the speedometer to work) but i mangaged to get there and back in just over an hour (the same as my "record" this fall) and dang, those hills were bigger than i remembered them being....
what made me smile at everyone i saw: i ran into this guy (as he was passing me on his mtn bike with skinny tires) that i sat next to at a football game last fall (for those of you that don't know, Michigan Stadium seats 112 THOUSAND people, and it had set a record that day) who happened to be a mountain biker (i overheard him and his friend talking about the Iceman, the big race up in Traverse City each November). What are the chances, in a crowd that size, of sitting next to another cyclist, who's from Illinois (like me!), at that!! (it was the UM vs U of IL slaughter, oops, i mean, "game" heh heh)
so, now i'm recovering after a wonderfully long, hot shower, cup of unsweetened, decaf tea, and toasted PB&J and am totally PSYCHED for spring racing and summer touring!!!!!!! woo!
side note: in order to scrape off the "frosh 15" that crept up on me so suddenly this semester, i'm giving up refined sugar (ie: candy -which i have eaten entirely too much of over the past month... chocolate will be the biggest challenge-, sweets in general, white bread/pasta/rice, etc) and caffeine (not a known contributor to weight gain, but still not so good for you) for 40 days. I figure, posting it publicly like this is even better than just telling my roommate (who's response was "suuure you are") and my mom (who was more supportive, albeit probably just as believing, as roomie ). I have until April 8th (thankfully before my birthday! mmm, cake.). Lets see if i can stick to it! hopefully those hills won't be so daunting with a little less on my hips....