I dusted off my road bike, pumped up the tires, lubed the chain and headed out for my first road ride in over a year. The first couple miles were very strange, but I quickly relearned how odd a roadie bike is.
I rode with Shane over to Sabino Canyon, climbing a few steep hills, then headed back down via entrada and the rivertrail to home.
The wind was blowing, but it didn’t seem to effect me. I think the added speed of the roadie bike was fooling me into thinking I was going faster than I should have been. It was a nice tour of the town–seeing some areas I rarely visit.
The absence of sun made it especially nice. I don’t know why, but because there are so many sunny days here I really enjoy the cloudy ones, even if they are a bit on the cold side.
On one hill I had vivid flashbacks of road pain. When you’re climbing a super steep hill in your easiest gear there isn’t really anything you can do but keep suffering. There’s no rock to avoid, no variation in the grade, no ledge to hop up. In short, no excuse to let up, so you just keep pedaling.
If I ever want to get fast I know my future lies at least somewhat on that bike. I am at least somewhat encouraged because it was a good ride, though not one that would make me fast.
30 miles? 2 hrs. No gps.
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