A thought crept into my mind this afternoon as I was wrapping up teaching my last class for the day. Road tire is still on my bike. Still early enough to beat the major rush hour traffic, I can zip up to "the marsh" -- about 30 minutes away, but totally worth the drive. The next 10 minutes were spent frantically running around the house gathering everything I'd need to sneak in a ride before the end of daylight hours.
I should know by now about making assumptions. I parked my car, opened the trunk, and saw only my bike and helmet, not my cycling shoes. Crap. I thought they were still in there from my ride on Saturday... I guess I had brought them in the house not thinking I'd be lucky enough for a second outdoor ride this week. Two choices. Turn around and go home to ride on the trainer? Or, come up with a compromise.
I chose to ride :)
Here's what it looked like on the outside......
But none of the 4 other cyclists also taking advantage of the beautiful evening knew that the covers were hiding these... ;)
I also didn't need these!
The marsh is a flat, light traffic area in the country, close to a major highway, but mostly wide open fields. Some dogs barking, and quick glances back to make sure that they were fenced in and not chasing me. Otherwise, it was just me, my shadow.... riding on Strawberry Lane.
One loop done, 23k. I felt fantastic, and would've loved to continue, but the sun was quickly starting to descend. Beautiful scenery, but certainly not safe to be riding alone, without any lights. I packed it up and headed home, completely ecstatic that I chose to get my dose of vitamin D for the day. Cannot wait for many more rides outside in the coming months....bring it on!
25 comments:
Glad you were still able to ride! At least you had running shoes and not some sort of dress shoe with you. ;o)
Seriously be careful - make sure cars can see you.....I m jealous as we begin to head on a spiral toward winter....even today was a coolish day on the bike
Hahaha. See, now this is why you need to be a rookie like me and not have clip shoes and just have those strap deals to put normal shoes in! I could ride my road bike in flip flops! :)
Now, that gives me an idea for a neat experiment....
now that's determination! most people would have canned the ride b/c of no bike shoes. And how clever...cover your running shoes up with booties. i love it! also, nothing like cheating time and sneaking in a ride. i'll be so happy come sunday as we spring forward. lots and lots of time to get a ride in then. woo-hoo!
Way to get it in and not waste a great sunny day. So much rain. Trainer is only second to my disdain for the treadmill. I like your shoe solution.
Now that is hardcore, I bet those pedals did not feel so great against your shoes. I love it, why to rock it still
Good for you, Mel! That funny that you can't really tell either with the shoe covers on. But did you find it difficult to keep your feet from flying off the pedals? I rode once w/o bike shoes and realized I was missing 1/2 my pedal stroke (okay, maybe a 1/4 to 1/3 as I still stomp on my pedals a little).
You're such a trooper - of course you wouldn't let a small detail like forgetting your bike shoes keep you from the ride. Good job!
Love it!!!
Great decision to ride anyway. Isn't it amazing what good weather can encourage you to do?
Love that shadow pic!
Way to get the ride in - I would have ran ...
Noooo, I don't want rain! It's been so beautiful.
Glad you got to take advantage... and way to get resourceful. ;)
great job improvising!! with the weather being so nice, we have to take advantage of it!
I still don't have clipless pedals! And honestly, I am unsure if I ever will only because I struggle so much on the bike as it is!
Nice job! Love making the most of these gorgeous days.
Love it!!! I love shoe covers and now I know they have another use. Way to get er done.
GO YOU!!!!!!! I have certainly improvised after forgetting something before too.
Your weather sounds sooooo familiar. Sunday was 63, yesterday I was scraping snow and ice off my car, spring is always a bit bipolar.
Way to be flexible and get the outdoor ride in! I am looking forward to taking my bike off the trainer and getting it outside too.
Ha ha ha....I love how you hid your running shoes...that's hilarious! I'm glad you got a good ride in. :)
Great pics! I'm loving the sunshine too. Can't wait for summer :)
Glad you were able to find a way to improvise and take advantage of the nice weather!
Great post! Way to go for just getting out there while you could!
Adopt Adapt Overcome! Nice Job!
Way to go Mel! The shoes would not have felt the greatest against the pedals but you covered up nicely.
-B
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