Smelling Spring

It was warm enough today for me to go on a bike ride wearing shorts and a short-sleeved jersey. Yes, I finally got to use one of my Christmas gifts. Isn't it cute?

Anyway, Bellatrix and I went out on a 24 mile shake out ride before lunch today while Nathan was helping Daddy toast grains for a batch of scotch ale. A few things I learned/noticed...

1. There's not much in Cornelius, OR
2. I LOVE my new saddle.
3. I need a frame water bottle with a slimmer profile...my current one is a bit too fat and kept rubbing against the side of my leg causing some skin irritation
4. Bad things should happen to owners of large black SUVs, who scream up behind you going 65 miles per hour, give you less than the minimum 36 inches clearance, and honking. Share the road, buddy!
5. I'm getting less wobbly on my aerobars but I need to really work on my power output and I need to take the visor off my helmet since it gives me a pretty large blind spot.
6. I still need to fiddle with my bike computer. It's been flaky ever since I put it on this bike.
7. The sudden thought 14 miles into a 24 mile loop that a road bike is different from a mountain bike and that I may not know what to do if I encounter mechanical problems. Time to brush up on bike maintenance. Good thing several local bike shops have free classes.

All in all, a perfect day for a ride. Life's been pretty mundane lately. One week to race day....both my 15K first running anniversary run and Nathan's first race ever...a 1K Leprechaun Lap.