A Day for Arm Warmers

Spring in Chicago. If you know it, you know it. It comes late, doesn't stay long and regularly juxtaposes cold against extreme heat.

Today was instead moderate. Warm in the sun, I have rosy cheeks to show for it, and cool near the Lake. It was in most ways a copy of yesterday with the addition of a strong south to north wind. I know this why? Because, this weekend, I twice rode my bike outside in the burgeoning spring that so reluctantly has taken up residence here in northern Illinois.

My adventures in the saddle are momentous and my absence from this page has left me without a marker for the day, now just over two weeks ago when I removed my incarcerating boot -- for good. The early days after removal were tense as I felt pain in the foot and questioned my recovery. Rather than dive into activity, I chose to just walk through my daily, even weekly routines, to allow the foot to get stronger. And it has. Sometime last week, I began lightly spinning on my trainer and felt sweat bead on my brow for the first time in four months. When the weekend weather forecast called for sun, few clouds and temperatures near 60, I knew I would ride outside. Thanks to the wise counsel of a close cycling friend, well, really friend who also cycles. He warned me to not overdo it. I followed this advice to a T.

On Saturday, I rode the legendary Gumby for just over 40 minutes. I stayed in the small ring and pedalled easily. It was glorious. No bike I have ridden absorbs road shock in the manner Gumby does. The bike is a tank and yet, at speed the bike glides effortlessly up hills and down.

Sunday, I joined two mates for a 21 mile ride where I was rarely called upon to lead. The air's chill was immediately apparent as we rode east to Sheridan Road. I was outfitted in my favorite cycling togs: shorts (bibs in this instance), jersey and arm warmers. It was perfect and I can think of no better way to ride. The ride itself revealed my lack of fitness but it featured, well, it featured riding, sometimes it was hard, often it wasn't and that was a pleasant surprise. I am ready for more.

Earlier in the day I bought a new pair of running shoes that I walked around the house in all evening to begin the break in. Preparation for trying to return to running. A familiar trope, I concede. But today was not about running shoes, it was a day for arm warmers.