Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Spring, for real this time

Date: May 23
Mileage: 39.6
May Mileage: 357.4
Temperature upon departure: 57

A couple of weeks ago, when we still had several feet of snow in the yard, Geoff said the sure sign of spring would be the day we could see the tops of the backyard fire pit benches poking out from the crust. In less than 14 days, spring did even better - stripping away an entire winter's worth of snowpack and leaving behind only dry grass, wet firewood and the recently exposed debris of a long, stagnant winter. The yard looks awful. But is sure is warm.

I've felt surprisingly strong during my past several rides. I suddenly have all this extra pep and push, and the only reason I could think of is that the rise in temperature has allowed my body to put more energy into the actual pedaling and less into the whole staying warm effort. Just like my car's gas mileage goes up a few miles per gallon every summer, warm air seems to have a similar effect on my riding.

I love the smell of willow in the air, buds on branches and blazing streaks of green creeping out from the dry, yellow groundcover. The emerging colors and smells give new life to old routes, and now the miles are just flying by. I only get three months of this. Believe me, I'm going to cherish every minute.

4 comments:

  1. Jill,
    Let me say this....you are on your way to Ultra Rob-dom. You put in more miles and hours in a decidedly less hospitable place than me. (I've logged about 20 miles in 2006) I live in a rainy, dreary cold place too! (Cleveland, OH....check us out on the rain guage) I don't ride a lot, I watch too much tv and log too many hours on my laptop.

    When I am able to learn how to photo and upload a pic of my front yard, you will be appalled. It is totally Spring here. The photo of Geoff is crazy. that's us, with no snow if Feb!!!
    (ooh, but not so skinny. Where is the winter layer of fat, or fluff?)

    Snow pack? What?

    OK, here it is in simplest form. Run for fun, ride for fun. Even train for fun....but please, please, please give Geoff the extra pork chop. ( not that he is Not hot, Monika)

    I will soon post our photos. All 38 yr. old and too much lovin', beer and pizza.

    Bless your trainin' lovin' heart Jill and Geoff!

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  2. Golly y'all sure have to relish the spring up there. We seemed to ownly have a 3 day spring here in denver and then jumped to summer...

    Thanks for your posts and pictures =)

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  3. Sounds like a good time in Homer, Jill!

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