Well, I decided not to ride yesterday (Friday) afternoon.... I just had no desire to fight the wind. It was at 15mph with 23mph gusts. So I decided to take a rest day. Friday the wind was about the same and I was almost blown off the bike by one hellish gust. Hopefully the wind wont be as strong today and I can get in a good ride.

Also, I was looking at the HHH site this evening and am contemplating doing it. I know I'm not ready for the full hundred but feel that I could, realistically, do the 25 or 50 by then. I've never been part of an organized ride nor have I ridden with a large group, but it would be a good introduction.

Well, its something to think about anyway........

After taking a couple days off, I came back with one of my best rides yet! I started a little late, decided I would get some yard work done first. Mowed the lawn worked up a good sweat and decided to take a quick ride around Saginaw before it got dark.

I ended up with a few personal bests (since I stopped riding last year due to the heart issues), Max MPH (24), Distance (14.1) and Ave. MPH (15.3). I know It may not seem like much, but considering I've only on the bike for a few weeks and was completely out of shape prior, I think its pretty damn good! If nothing else, Its a start.

I was riding against an 11 mph cross wind almost the entire ride and had to climb three long and steady hills. The temp was 90 and the humidity hell! One good sign was the fact that my legs out lasted my lungs. They felt as if they could have gone another 15 miles with no problem and the bike was smooth as glass after the tune up.

One great ride......

I took the day off from riding today, the bike was sent to the shop for a quick tune up...... pretty much a lazy day. That's a good thing though. It'll give my mussels a little rest.

I think I figured out my new obsession with the bike. I realized that all of this started when Shayne and I canceled the Climbing trip for this year. It will be the first time in 8 years that I wont be doing a summer climb. Although I will be kayaking with Steve in about two weeks, I believe this recent infatuation is just my mind saying "F' you if you think your just going to lay around all summer and get fat(ter)".

Also, Lisa has been extremely supportive of my riding, and has been a great riding partner. Man, we have a blast when we go to Trinity Park.

A few other things worth mentioning, today is the first day in about 10 months that I have dropped below 200 lbs (Blanca gives himself a pat on the back)....... and did I mention that I cut the shit out of my finger yesterday. I was washing the car before the ride and sliced it on the license plate. It Hurt like hell and bled like a mother, but it did not keep me from riding!!!!!!!

Out!

Wow.... I completely forgot I had an account on this thing. Lets see if I can post on a regular basis. Anyway, Today has become a personal "Independence Day" for me.

Although I been riding my bike on a regular basis for the past few weeks (14 out of the past 17 days), today is the day that it officially became a addiction! Sure, I've been riding the bike off and on for about a year and a half now, but before I'd get bored after a couple days, look for excuses not to ride, then hang it up in the garage until I found the urge to ride again.

Its all I could think about this evening. Looking at maps on mapquest trying to determine which road(s) will I ride this week, how am I going to fit the bike in Lisa's car for the FL/No Trip, and what routes will I take when I get there.

So what's changed you ask...... I have no freaking idea, but a strong wind is now a challenge, hills look inviting, not menacing and my legs scream for speed. The only other time I get this feeling is when I climb.

Its all I think about!!

Happy 4th..... Be good out there!