Got to Keep Rollin'

OK, I'm finally back in the saddle.

Meaning, I've finally overcome my recent illnesses and was able to ride my bike on Sunday, spin on Monday, and attend a fitness class on Tuesday.  I won't say it felt good, because I'm not inclined to lie, but I did glean some satisfaction from getting exercise once again. 

So, with all the setbacks in training for Leadville that I've encountered so far, I'm especially looking forward to spring.  The weather forecast is good for the next while, and I think I may even be able to bike to work by the end of this week.  YAY!  

Last year, bike commuting was the best training I could have asked for.  I  didn't know anything about keeping a steady cadence, so I would just get the bike in its hardest gear and grind away at high speed.  I got away with this because it was only a 6 km ride to work, and it ended up making me much stronger (it was oblivious interval training).  Now I know better, but I may employ the same strategy this year to try and get a bit stronger.

Now that bike commuting is in sight, there are so many decisions to be made!

Like, which bike will I take to work?  Well, although it is the least sophisticated of my bikes, I work at a public library where theft is not an impossibility.  And since I would be heartbroken if anything happened to my Lush or my Madone, it looks like the good old 3-Series is the winner.

 
I still love this bike.  It's just so blue!

Next question:  Shall I ride the existing flat pedals or a set of clipless?  This is a tough one.  I only have 2 sets of clipless pedals (one for the Madone and the Lush), and I am too cheap to buy another set.  Plus, there's the hassle of switching them over once we get riding more often...  On the other hand, I could really use the practice riding clipless.  I'm new at it, and it's great, but I've had a few silly accidents as a result of not being on the ball with the whole unclipping thing.

How will I stay warm?  Eek, this is a serious issue.  I don't want to be too warm, or I'll be super sweaty when I get to work.  On the other hand, I loathe being cold...  Nothing to do here but trial and error, I guess.

Has Bruce lost my bike lock?  Hopefully not, but he should really go out and buy one of his own.