A few weeks ago when we had a short burst of really nice weather, I’d planned on biking in to work. I woke up that morning to wet ground and cold air. I decided not to. The day warmed up and turned out to be nice so I could have biked. But I’m a fair-weather cyclist. I don’t care what anyone says, it is no fun biking in 40 degree weather with tears blinding your sight from the cold wind and snot running down your face. Not fun at all.
Last Wednesday I got the chance to bike in! The weather was supposed be gorgeous for several days. I always get nervous and anxious about the first few rides of the season. I don’t know why. I guess I’m just out of practice.
This particular bike in to work was absolutely wonderful. My body felt so great–even at those trouble spots on the trail that traditionally make me struggle. I was feeling so good and made really good time (I’d driven part way in to work and parked).
It was warm (in the mid-50’s), a little chilly in the shade but warm in the sun. There were a bunch of people out biking. On my way I saw these cute little guys:
They were so cute. And a little further down the trail I came upon the feral cats that live near the train tracks. I’m not sure who but someone built a cat shelter for them to live in and there was also a water dish.
For feral cats they were super friendly and curious about me. Not skittish at all. They looked really healthy, too.
I took the Springwater trail in and crossed the Hawthorne Bridge. Knees felt good. Body felt good. Had a great ride in.
I hope the weather stays nice for awhile so I can get in a few more rides. I usually start about this time of year so I’m not that early. Here were my calories for the morning ride:
The day progressed into a hot one but it was still really pleasant biking home. The trail wasn’t too crowded either, which surprised me. It was 82 degrees but I was perfectly comfortable. My legs felt good–the only thing not that great was my neck and shoulders. After taking a long break from biking that’s usually the first place to be extra sore when I’m back at it.
I took the Morrison Bridge across the river and was huffing and puffing a lot. My heart rate got REALLY high but it leveled off on the other side of the bridge and as pretty average the rest of the short ride back to the car (around 135-145).
For some reason my heart rate monitor crapped out on me mid-ride so I have no idea what my calories were. I just took a guess. My mileage for the ride home was:
10.2 miles total! I drove the rest of the way home, cleaned up and Michael and I had a little date night. We went to New Seasons and got sandwiches to go from their deli. I am so happy we discovered this–they make outstanding sandwiches! I got a ham sandwich with grilled onions, Mama Lil’s Peppers, Havarti cheese and lettuce. Michael got a turkey, bacon, avocado sandwich on gluten free bread. We split an amazing cookie for dessert.
The park was packed! There were so many dogs in the dog area running around. It’s an off-leash park except it’s not fenced. Bella isn’t quite ready to go free in a dog park like that. She’s USUALLY pretty good with her recall but not 100%. She was extra spazzy at the park that night, too. I think she was just overstimulated and super excited there were so many dogs and people around.
Little Miss Spazz knocked over my drink several times (and then it exploded when I opened it), she tangled herself up in the leash, then ran after a dog and the leash went with her. Grrrr! I know she’s just a puppy and we’re working on her manners but dang, sometimes it’s frustrating! Especially when I see other people with dogs that don’t even have to be on their leash! I hope that someday Bella can be good and stay beside us and come back when we call her. I’d like her to be able to frolic off leash, too…
Anyways, Michael and I ate our dinners, chatted and watched the sailboats go by on the river as the run started to set. Then we walked Bella around the park on the nature trails through the woods.
It was a lovely evening and it was nice to get out of the house and shake up the routine a bit. I really hope the weather stays nice so I can ride each week!
Lori
Yay for biking! I will bike in the 40s, but it isn’t as nice as when it is warmer LOL! It’s okay if it is sunny, but 40 and windy is no bueno.
Lisa Eirene
It is so much nicer when it’s warm out!
Kelly @ Finding a Skinnier Me
Your ride sounds amazing and so much safer than mine. Do you have to ride a lot of roads with other cars or do you mostly take bike trails? I am riding my bike tomorrow to work for the first time on my own and even though there are good bike lanes in downtown I am a little petrified of riding in the areas that don’t have good bike lanes.
All my dogs have amazing recall. Even my craziest dog Arya. To be honest it was my husband. He put so much trust in them from an early age. He just let them follow him around, even outside to do chores and made sure to call them back often. Now all of them know to stay within a perimeter of us and to always come back when called. Bella will get there. Keep working on her even at home in the yard.
Sounds like a great weekend!!!
Lisa Eirene
I have some neighborhood streets that I take about half way in and then the rest is a bike trail. There’s about 2-3 blocks downtown that I have to ride on to get to my office but there are big bike lanes. Even with bike lanes I get nervous, too. Usually that anxiety goes away after I get used to riding again.
That’s great about your dog. Bella is PRETTY good but not perfect. There have been a few times where she slipped out of the leash and we yelled her name and told her to come and she did. So that’s good. It was scary!
emmaclaire
Wasn’t that little burst of summer weather last week THE BEST?? It’s hard to go back to the chilly and rainy again. Things were damp enough in the house yesterday we actually had a little fire in the woodstove – it felt great, though I was a bit embarrassed we were burning in May!
Lisa Eirene
It was so wonderful! And then RAIN. Ugh.
Coco
I’m just getting back on my bike too. Love your picnic dinner at the park! Our dog is not very good with other dogs so we could never take her to a dog park.
Lisa Eirene
Bella’s pretty good at the dog park. The one we usually go to is fenced in so she can be off leash.
Carbzilla
What a great picnic!
We wanted to take Max to the Mt Tabor dog park but the web said it wasn’t fully fenced. What?!?!
Lisa Eirene
Mt Tabor dog park? I don’t think I’ve heard of that one?
Biz
I used to bike 2.5 miles to the train, take the train to Chicago, walk a mile to my office, then walk 2 miles at lunch time, walk a mile back to the train station, then bike the 2.5 miles home – so each day, hardly without trying, I did 9 miles a day without even trying. Now the only way to work is by car – I miss it!
Love your picnic too!
Lisa Eirene
That’s a great routine! It’s a shame you have to drive now. Did you do it even in the winter?