A Little Joy Ride

Until yesterday, Nashville hadn't seen the sun in 9 days. It was agony. The days were cloudy and rainy and cold. The trifecta of winter here in the south. We've been so spoiled this year, the extended period of missing sunlight really had me down.

When I checked the weather forecast for this weekend I was extremely giddy to see it was going to be 55 and sunny today.

Excited for 55 degrees? Yes. I was.

I haven't been able to do anything except be on a bike the last 2 1/2 weeks because I sprained my right ankle on Jan. 2nd.

Happy New Year to me!

So, I knew I could get out on my dusty old bike I haven't ridden since the early fall and take a short jaunt on the greenway near my house. The greenway had it's own plans.

Flooded. In 3 separate places. And considering the trail to get around was super muddy going around the first two floods. I didn't attempt the 3rd.

I still got in about 40 minutes of riding by circling back and going out to the road and riding through a neighborhood.

I don't know when I'll be able to run again, but if I could get a day like this in every week. I'd probably stay pretty content for a few more weeks at least.

Bike Adventures

Saturday I went for my second bike ride on my new-to-me bike! I've stuck to paved greenways, but so far I am loving to ride.

Saturday I rode a little over 8 miles on a flat trail. I was only out for about an hour, but because I'm still getting used to riding that's about all I can ride at once before the bike seat makes riding less than comfortable. I need to look into a better gel seat or some bike shorts with the gel inserts.

I also should look into a helmet. Yes, I've been riding without one. Eventually, I'll want to bike from my house to the greenway (about 1/2 a mile or so), so a helmet will be required.

Here are a few pictures from my ride yesterday.

Hey, it's hard to take a pic of yourself on a bike!
Car windows doubled as mirrors can work.

Overall, I am loving my bike and riding it. It's something you can do when it is hot out (yesterday was 90+), but it doesn't feel that miserable because of the natural breeze of zooming down the pathway. I know there are runners out there that won't admit it, but biking is so much more fun than running. Except when hills are involved. :)

But man, just like running, this is an EXPENSIVE hobby. As I mentioned, I still need a helmet and I'd like to get a gel seat. Also, I need a bike rack for easier transportation. Until the money Gods shine down on me, I'm left with lifting my bike in and out of the back of my Element.

I can't wait to have more bike adventures and build up my riding endurance.