First ride

I'm not sure if it was the first ride of an early season or just a fluke, but temps pushing 40, a high, warm sun and a bit of burning desire got me out onto the not-too-messy spring roads yesterday. Having kept some form over the winter, I had just enough in me to decide to go too far, 33k, for such an early ride, but it felt so good. Last season ended earlier than usual with some weather and sickness that took me off the bike in early November, and not being able to ski this year has made me ache for some intense exercise. So yesterday as the sun warmed things up and most of the ice had cleared from the shoulders, I decided to double-bag in all that expensive winter bike clothing that I have and get on out there. Can't say I hammered it but I had a nice spin out to Schodack, around Clarks Chapel Road and back, with minimal splashing in the melt, not too much crap on the shoulders, and no flats, so I was happy. A winter spent on the rollers has me balancing on a knife's edge on that bike, a reminder that I should be using it more during the season, 'cause one thing you have to be on rollers is upright. My normal first ride is around St. Patrick's, and we've still got plenty of winter to come around here, but if the sun cooperates maybe this will be my earliest start ever.