Rides have been few and far between. Busy at work (thank goodness!), uncooperative weekend weather, etc. But the clock changes marks the official start of ride season, and this was the inaugural ride of the club.

Now the problem with riding this weekend is that everyone is short on sleep. But this was going to be interesting because the weather was soooo cooperative. I mean 60+ degrees (F)? When it might snow in a couple of days? So 16 folks turned out (that’s a lot for our little club).

I expected this ride to be interesting because you have folks who haven’t looked at their bikes all winter, and probably put them away in need of repair or service. And certainly, there were going to be people who are deeply out of shape from a lack of winter biking.

And the ride did not disappoint. One person who is new to clipless pedals fell over in the parking lot. Others crawled up the one incline (I refuse to say hill). Someone else broke a spoke (and I watched as the reflector attached to said spoke was slowly beaten to death on the left seat stay. Normally I’d be surprised that it would take someone so long to pull over and stop considering the racket and destruction going on back there, but this person’s drivetrain was making so much noise prior that I don’t think he noticed. And of course, over all the pace was glacial. That’s how these rides go though…

Of course, my own fitness needs a lot of work—I was soundly thrashed at each town line sprint I contested (“contested” just might be too strong a word). But I did climb that incline in the big ring with no trouble, which is the outcome of a lot of work too, so things are looking promising.

All in all, it was great to see everyone, nice to see so much enthusiasm on the roads (so many folks riding today), and a while I suspect it will be freezing for a while yet… today was brimming with hope and renewal, and the always fun spark that represents the beginning of yet another seasonal campaign in pursuit of health, fitness, and fun. Allez!