I'll take it...a real RIDE report today.

44 and sunny. Brewers on the air this afternoon, meaning I have an extra hour or so to invest in a ride...or I can wait a little longer to start, allowing it to warm up outside.

My back injury still nagging, but I know I can ride like this. I had done it before. It doesn't hurt at all while riding, just when I have to unclip and stop.

The ride started slow...real slow. I took a chance at taking the first section of MUP early in the ride. Mistake.

I had to stop and walk the bike for no less than 14 times to cross patches of snow and ice. I also avoided disaster in Greenfield Park at the golf course, where there is a small bridge you go under. I noticed something looked funny ahead in the glare of the sun. Having crashed at an underpass like that in the past, I had learned my lesson. I stopped and sure enough...the entire area was a chunk of ice!

The second section of MUP later in the standard Oak Leaf Loomis route is now open...so I'm halfway home to having a clear route.

On the way back I felt good and happy just to be out there. Helped by a cross-to-tail wind now at last, I did the flat sections of Root River Parkway at tempo, riding a nice 20-21 steady with the help of no headwind now.

I took the detour back home and finished feeling fine. The back held up and feels about the same as when I started the ride, which is a good thing.

It sure will be nice when some of this winter mess on the roads gets washed away.

Glad you got back out there again bro...be it a cyclo-cross ride once again

I still plan on an evening ride IF I can swing it. I was hoping on winds to die down a bit (at 20mph right now!) Check my blog later or in the a.m. tomorrow, I'll post late tonight if I get out.

I was going to say this earlier to you. You most likely have a slightly herniated or ruptured disc in your back. Based on your e-mails to me and your symptoms. I have to add here that believe it or not...cycling is actually a GOOD thing to do with this type of injury. I've read up on it before So getting out there just nice and easy when you were ready was actually a smart thing to do believe it or not!
.......

I BELIEVE!

Hello Phil:

I thought I saw you today on the Oak Leaf/Parkway making a slow turn around right by Layton Ave at around 1:30 PM; I passed you in my car on the way to one of my accounts. I looked over my shoulder and I thought I saw the silver Klein that you ride – that’s right – Brewers game today. I captured a ride yesterday and today as well. Windy today on the roads and got a flat tire near Southridge mall. Not the best ride, but nice to be off the trainer.

Hey Phil, did you watch any of the 2007 Amgen Tour of California material yet?

See you on the roads!

Randy K. (Specialized)
.............

YUP, THAT WAS ME!
YUP, WATCHED EVERY MINUTE OF THE TOC.
SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THE FLAT. IT SEEMS LIKE THERE IS NO WAY NOT TO GET A FLAT WITH ALL THE JUNK IN THE ROAD RIGHT NOW. I LOOK DOWN AT MY TIRES A DOZEN TIMES A RIDE BECAUSE I THINK I FEEL A TIRE GOING DOWN.