Wind at Your Back

It is hard to understand the significance of having the wind at your back until you spend some time with the wind in your face.

It Was Cold

It was cold this morning when I set out for my ride. the coldest morning yet, somewhere in the vicinity of 38 degrees. I had mittens, sweatpants and a jacket, I was prepared. Things were going great, the sun was coming up and the sweat was beginning to drip.
I noticed that my rear tire was beginning to get mushy, I pulled over and yup. I had a flat. I carry a spare tube but I was only a quarter mile down the street from my parents house and time is limited on weekday mornings. I pumped the tire back up, and limped into mom and dad's driveway.
I am still new at this cycling thing and I learned this morning that the pump I carry on my bike is nearly useless. I am also a bit intimidated at the notion of changing a tube out on the road. I have done it twice before, both times in my yard. Live and learn, soon enough I will be able to hop off the machine and switch out the old tube in no time.
The funny thing is I feel frustrated that I got up and out this morning and only got to pedal six miles. I was hoping for twenty. I will get twenty tomorrow no worries.

How Do You Like Them Apples?

Heidi was getting the kids ready for bed. Merry was teasing David about a a book she gave him weeks ago that he keeps under his pillow.
Merry says "David I am going to sneak into your room when you fall asleep and take that book from under your pillow. How do you like them apples!"
David "I don't like them apples at all!"
Thomas hearing the talk of apples comes running into the bathroom and yells "I want an apple I LOVE apples."
Thats my story and I am sticking to it.

Back In The Saddle

I have not been on the bicycle for 12 days. I have had different excuses. A couple of days I had a chest cold, it rained for a few days, some mornings arrived far to soon to get my ass out the door in time to ride and get to work. The rain is the only legitimate reason to not be out there.
I brought Merry to her Ballet class in Boston on Sunday morning. Merry has one special friend in the class and it happened that it was her father's turn to go to Ballet as well.
I decided to introduce myself, "Hi, our friends are daughters." He looked at me, as though he did not understand and I tried again. Hi, our daughters are friends." This time I got it right and a conversation started. I mentioned to him that I just started riding a bicycle. Turns out he has been riding for quite some time and we had a topic we were both interested in.
When I mentioned that I had not been riding recently and gave him my list of excuses, he told me to stop making excuses and get out there. That was exactly what I needed to hear.
I rode this morning, and I am getting the gear together I need to be able to ride until it snows.