I really do think that today marked a turning point. I really do believe that today was a very good sign that I have finally re-discovered myself...the cyclist part of myself. After a long, drawn-out winter that has put me behind this late-arriving spring, something clicked today.

I woke up to sunshine. Rain is coming. A cold front is coming. But in the morning, the sun was out and it was almost 60. All I could think about was the fact that perhaps I could get a ride in before the cold front. And what did I do? I threw my entire work routine out the window and made sure I was out there on a ride by 9:00 a.m., two hours earlier than usual. Work could wait. Email could wait. Chores could wait. Cycling...my ride...came first.

There was a time there in the dreary month of March when I was doing nothing and frustrated with the weather that I wondered if cycling had become too far gone from my routine. Would I bother to come back to it at the level I have in past years?

Today I think I answered that question with a big YES. My life was put on hold because the weather held enough for me to ride for the fourth day in row!

Not as much wind today. Still, it changed directions from the 40 mph gusts of Wednesday, meaning today the headwind came on the way back...ouch. But I did it. And not only that, I worked hard at it. It's a good sign that the average speed picked up each day this week despite the wind and despite the fact that I had done nothing for almost two weeks prior to these four rides.

I also got back to the Wednesday meeting with the scale post-ride. It wasn't as bad as I thought. I was estimating that I was 6-8 pounds over my riding weight. Turns out it's more like 4-5 over. Now it is time to just eat a little less...eat a little smarter...ride a little more...and things will take care of themselves.

Another note from today's ride...

On the way back in the parkway I saw two guys on the side of the road off their bikes. They were working on one of the bikes. So I slowed down and yelled over if they needed anything. They said they were fine, and they thanked me for asking. I try to be a good ambassador for cycling on the road. I'm not sure what i could have done for them with my limited tech skills, but maybe a hand or a cell phone...who knows. The point is that I at least asked. There have been times I've been stuck with a flat and could have used a hand and the roadies just go zipping past with their heads to the ground.

Offer a friendly hand if you can...

 

Most bikers are selfish and egotistical, all they do is talk about themselves and their daily rides when nobody really cares. But don't tell them that, that is all they have in life.

I always offer to help. No matter what the instance. It doesn't have to even be cycling related. Heck, I helped load a horse on a trailer a couple years back!