Saturday was an awesome day. I had a good nights rest, was feeling good as soon as I woke up and ready to get things going. Having moved in the Fall, I hadn't yet started any rides from our new house. So I was excited to get out and ride. Even though I was going to be going on some familiar roads I had ridden last year during training.
One of my first rides when moving up to Madison last year was to head out to Waterloo, WI and ride past the Trek Bicycle Headquarters. It's a small town about 20 miles East of downtown Madison. Riding there isn't overly exciting. There isn't amazing scenery, unless you love farms and cows. And the road conditions leave little to speak of. That is, until you get just outside of a town named Marshall on Madison Ave., and head up the slow pitched hill for a few miles leading up to the front door of Trek Headquarters. From that point on, it's one of the smoothest rides I've ever been on. And I'm sure Trek had something to do with it.
Anyway, back to my ride Saturday. I was up around 5:45, the sun was just starting to creep over the horizon and make it light enough to be riding without any lights or reflective clothing. It was already somewhat warm, too. Though it was in the low 50's, I decided to be cautious and start with a baselayer, jersey, knee warmers and shoe covers. My baselayer I have the Bontrager B3 Hooded Long Sleeve, leg warmers are the Bontrager Knee Warmers, and shoe covers are the Craft Rain Booties. I knew some would be coming off along the way. But I wanted to make sure I started warm enough, knowing I could slim down as I rode.
The first few miles felt refreshing. Though getting out of town sometimes can be a pain. Sitting at the stop lights, watching your average miles per hour dwindle. But after that, it was open roads and fun. Nearly no cars, no people. Just the road and a slight tail wind headed out.
I got to the Trek Headquarters a little quicker than I thought and saw a group of guys working on the parking lot, so I decided not to swoop in and hang out for a second. I was planning to get some nutrition in and take off my baselayer. Instead I kept riding through Waterloo and stopped on the North side of town near a clinic. I stopped, grabbed a Honey Stinger bar and slipped off my baselayer and shoved it into my saddle bag that had just a tube, lever and cartridge for a flat if need be. I did decide however, to leave on my knee warmers and shoe covers. Be it that I was wearing my tri shoes, I knew if I took the covers off, I'd more than likely start getting chilly feet. So I'd rather have them sweat a little than be cold. Same went for my knee warmers. I'd rather keep my legs warm. Especially since the ride headed home would be mostly into a headwind.
Though there was a slight headwind, it was still pretty easy riding. It wasn't the typical grind it out and just make it home style. I could actually still enjoy the ride. Even though I wasn't riding quite as fast as the way out. I still had fun. And with no real time limit, as long as I was working in the ride heart rate zone, I was happy. Though a few times I stood up to sprint to wake my legs up and get out of the saddle.
Overall I was just shy of 54 miles. Nothing huge, but a good fun ride to start out the year. No big hills, but I did hit about 1,500 feet of climbing over the course. But most of all, it just felt good to get out. I took three gels with me as well as 2 bars. I just ate one bar and all 3 gels. The third was just for some nutrition for my brick run after.
The run was just a quick 3 miles to remember what it's like to run on tired legs. Nothing fancy or overly fast. Just trying to remember the feeling again.
Looking back it was a really fun ride. I enjoyed every part of it. I think I have found a deep love in biking. Or it could just be getting back outside doing things. Either way, I'm looking forward to the things to come. Such as, getting done with my training Saturday and spending the next 6 hours tilling and cleaning my lawn to plant new grass seed. YAY!
-Dave
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