The sun being out made all the difference. Coldest air of the season today on the bike at 47 degrees when I started. That, coupled with a cold north/northwest wind would have meant no way would I ride today if it was cloudy. But the sun was out and I had no problem being out in the sun.

I started with a Three Bridges route but cut it off at Drexel to make a loop back. The reason I cut it a little shorter to 30 miles was because of the wind. It was mostly at my back all the way down so I knew it was going to be a lot tougher coming back.

The temptation in those conditions is just to keep going longer, fooling yourself into thinking how good you feel with the wind at your back. It's a lot harder and seems a lot longer once you turn around and get that wind howling in your ears.

All in all, glad I got out today. Maybe tomorrow too. Despite the forecast of a nice weekend I will not be able to ride. I've got my hands full with sawing up a large downed poplar tree out at the lake place. That'll be an all day thing with a couple of buddies on Saturday. Sunday...rest and watch the Packers game.