Woo tailwinds!

[fultzie]

Had a GREAT ride today!
I just got my bike back from the LBS (had new stem and bars put on... got new bar tape too! ) and was afraid that I wouldn't be able to ride today since the forecast was for rain and wind all day.

Well, it miraculously cleared up by 3 o'clock, and warmed up to 55 degrees! PERFECT cycling weather (with some leg and arm warmers, of course). I dragged my cycling buddy out for the first 5 miles, but she had to turn back (exams tomorrow) so I kept on on my own. We were heading into the wind going out (10 miles) but it turned out to be a great warmup!! had an AWESOME tail wind coming back, and really felt like I was flying! Only got passed once, by a pack of guys in pro-gear and riding in a paceline (so i didn't feel as bad as when the mtn bikers whizzed by earlier this month)

there were so many people out riding! I love seeing everyone out on bikes, especially the couples and families on cruisers. it's so fun to see people enjoying the great weather and having a good time riding a bike!

One guy headed in the opposite direction gave me a funny look as he waved (not a sneer, but a look of kind of surprise) so I checked out my speedometer... hee hee! that's the fastest I've ever gone going up hill (given, it's a Michigan hill, so it's more of a small bump in the road, but still!!) i think he was one of the ones riding with the wind as I rode into it, and had seen me crawling along before it was one windy day!!!

it was so exhilerating, such an adrenaline rush (especially on the parts of road with smooth pavement). I'd like to credit the new bars and stem, but i think it was mostly the tailwinds. fun stuff all the same!

as a bonus: I rode for the first time in the drops! I never did before because on the old bars my wrists were cocked at an uncomfortable angle and I couldn't reach the brakes... now i think the drops are almost more comfy than the hoods (less vibration, but it could be that i forgot my gloves...).

whee! hope this weather lasts (although it's supposed to only be 37 tomorrow. blah.)

[MightyMitre]

I love tail winds - funny thing is, you always notice a headwind but not a tailwind. Not until you're totally flying along and zooming up hill! Makes you feel like you're 10x fitter than you really are and that you could ride at 25mph on the flat for the rest of the day without breaking into a sweat.

Sounds like you had a great ride.

[Veronica]

I love tailwinds, except when it's hot. Then give a light, cooling headwind please.

Veronica

[kelrunran]

When I'm riding with a tailwind - I always think to myself "oh, now I really see why people like cycling"! Then I turn around and realize, it was a tailwind. Never fails!

[Hillhugger]

Wow, sounds like you had a blast!!!

I just love tailwinds - it's like you're flying!

I am so looking forward to my first ride outside - up until now, it was still quite cold here in Ontario. Maybe on the weekend...