For months I've had all the good intentions in the world to bike to work. For various reasons, mainly concern over a certain stretch of road, I never did it. At the very least I started taking the train to work, so I was polluting a lot less. This week my friend came to my desk and said "There's a bike in the stock room, looks like a women's one." Couldn't think of anyone that would be biking in, but the next day he came back and told me who it was: the tiny 60 year-old woman upstairs Worse yet, I knew she had to bike the very area I had been avoiding Well that did it, there were no more excuses!

Packed up the bag last night, filled the tires, made sure I had everything I needed. This morning I woke up, ate a little granola and got on my way. It normally takes me a little time to warm up, but today it didn't happen. I noticed this the one other time I got up super early to ride. I was much slower than normal, but I plugged along. I also noticed my heart rate was about 20BPM higher than normal. Does this happen to anyone else? Any idea what it can be from or what I can do to help? Again, I noticed that on the other early morning ride.

It really was a perfect morning, and overall I feel pretty good. A few things I have to work on: 1) the backpack I have just isn't going to work, or I need to plan better. It started to feel heavy, and I certainly noticed the extra weight going up the hills. I had clothes, my pump, and a pair of shoes, but my shoulders were tired. 2) I think I need a new frame pump, as I seem to be missing a piece of mine, the little thumb lock on the head of the Road Morph.

Even if I ride in a few days and take the train the rest of the time, it'll be nice. Looking back, I don't know why I waited so long, it was a great ride. We'll see how I feel riding home in Friday afternoon shoreline traffic