First ride of the year

[0leman]

Due to several factors today was my first ride of the year.   The last ride was just before Christmas.  Then got a cold, first one in several years.  The first two weeks of January was snowy, lots of white hit the ground here.   Finally mid January the temps came up and snow/ice melted from the roads.  BUT the rains came, don't like riding in the rain with 40 degree temps.   Finally, Sunday the sun came out and rains went away.  It was projected to be in the upper 50's low 60's. Thats 20 degrees about normal for this time of the year.  BUT found that I had lost the left head light, so I had to replaced it so could go for a ride.  Unfortunately, it was not to be.  Had issues with the bulb getting shoved thru the hole.  So yesterday, I went for my first ride.   It was a slow enjoyable 120 mile ride.  Temps in the low 60's, lots of sun.  Thankfully got it in as today is cloudy with chance of rain and 40+ mph gust.  AND more snow by Friday. 

[Whooray]

 

[TrapperAH1G]

Today wasn't really my first ride of the year.  I've done a couple of short 20 to 25 mile winter maintenance rides.  BUT, today was high 50's, low 60's so I got in a little over 5 hours and 225 miles.  Beautiful day and conditions, reminds you instantly why you have the bike sitting in the garage all winter!

Plan is to take a long ride in May.  From WA to CA, AZ, NM and maybe even into TX.  Did that in 2018, over 7K miles and 30 days total.  Maybe not quite so much this time.  I'm 6 yrs older, 74, and not as spry as I was then, but gotta do one more long trip.

[0leman]

Glad to see someone else is out and about.  I do try to ride once a week during the winter, but due weather conditions (IE snow/ice) that sometimes is once every week turn into two-six weeks.   This hasn't been a really bad winter for us down here but did have two extended periods where conditions were not right.

I did get in a 150 miler yesterday.  Took 3 great hours of riding around in 60 degree weather.  Lots of slow roads and enjoyed the area slowing turning green.  It will be 3-4 more weeks before one can ride safely in the higher country.