Something Hopalong Cassidy once said...

This morning was an odd mix of giddy expectation and nervous anticipation. The acts of prepping my ride and pulling on my kit felt at the same time familiar and foreign. I was both excited and apprehensive. I set my HR Monitor, stepped into my shoes still scarred from the crash and before leaving the house, affixed a P-Touch label emblazoned with JIM061 to the steerer tube of my bike.

Jim is a member of my cycling club laying in the hospital after being hit by a van while riding. My training up to and participation in the Westpoint Tri are dedicated to him.

I hit the road and for the first half mile I actually felt out of place on the bike that I have ridden for 10,000 miles. A milestone I hit today on my return to cycling. Are there any coincidences? But after that first mile I was one with my machine again though a bit gun shy as I rode.

It took several miles for the pain and soreness to subside but I kept it easy and was soon in the flow pedaling smoothly though not with great power. The worst pain was getting on and off the bike as stretching my leg over the cross saddle stretched the Abductor muscle which was the hardest hit.

I did a few loops in Rock Lake and decided I needed, not wanted but needed to climb Hook. I know I need to go easy but that's a hard concept for me. I hit the mile climb and was surprised at how much less difficult it was than I anticipated. I stood up for a good portion of it and felt good. I took it easy going down though, still a bit hesitant...

I stopped at the TOGA shop to rest and wait out the passing rain shower and realized I was pretty shagged out. I also was surprised at how much cardio I had lost in just under a month. After a fifteen minute rest I took off again and headed home.

Just being on the bike again was nirvana. Just to feel the wind rush and the glide of the wheels was like coming home. I realized just how much I really did miss training and riding.

I made it home after twenty one miles and an hour and a half exhausted and elated. I passed out after a shower, ate and then being the stubborn dope that I am went out again!

I met up with a group from the local club and did an easy ride for 9 miles and then took off smacking down the hammer for the last 3 miles. Man that just felt good.

Tomorrow I'm hoping to get out and push a bit harder. There's some residual soreness but nothing I can't deal with. I also stepped on the scale this morning 'cause I can feel the extra weight I put on and I have to think the scale is off. Regardless I know I have a bunch of pounds to knock off.

I have a way to go and next week I start running, a whole new hell. But as Hopalong once said, "I'm back in the saddle again..."

Eric J