The 25th Mile

Today, I finally got on the bike again. I'd done very little biking in the last year. I joined the local gym after hitting my 'distant' gym for the last 2 months. I got sick of driving 50 minutes each way to go to the 'distant' gym. The local gym is only 15 minutes away.

Anyway, I've been hitting it every other day and finally decided to do a real world session. I posted a thread on the town forum and tried to invite anyone to join me. I also invited a friend. As it turns out, even a sunny day in the winter here won't entice most people to get out onto their bikes.

I started from Wilmont Gateway Park in Woodinville and rode down to Redmond (~7.5 miles each way). It was a little chilly and misty as I started at 10am. It took about an hour to there and back along the Sammamish River Trail. I was pleasantly surprised that I felt really good. So good, in fact, that I decided to tack on a few miles northwards. I headed north and then west eventually hitting the Burke Gilman Trail to Kenmore (~5 miles each way).

All and all, it was 25.5 miles of flicking the bike around. I pretty much pounded out the miles and tried to maintain a smooth cadence. I found myself waning around mile 20 and then again at 23. I could tell my legs were getting tired.... but my spirit was strong.

At the 24th mile, I was really losing steam and had shifted into la-dee-da mode (a.k.a. fun pace). I was enjoying the sun as it broke through the clouds and tried popping little bunny hops as I hit the root-raised pavement here and there. It was great to be on the old mountain bike again even if I was not really on a singletrack.

At mile 25, I could see the familiar landmarks and knew I had only a few hundred pedal strokes left. I kicked it up a few gears and punched it. I wanted to end with a sprint. I dropped downslope closer to the slough and weaved under the 405/522 interchange. When you get into a groove, it's like flying close to the ground. It's a real pleasure to have a quiet bike where all I hear is a little grippy growl of rubber clutching the asphalt. My lungs were not hurting (thank you, eliptical trainer). My legs were a bit rubbery (damn, all that training hasn't hardened me up yet). I made it to the park and just coasted amid the families.

The first 25 miles of the year... alone in the cool sun... a big smile on my face... and a hunger for more.