One of Those Rides

I had “one of those rides” today. You know the one; the ride where everything just feels right.

I’ve managed to get away for a few days from the store and headed to the beach to hang with some family. Of course I took my bike to get in some much needed and wanted miles.

My plan for the week is to mainly put in endurance miles. With my refocus on weight loss and overall general health I’ve planned some long rides I want to do at the end of the year. A double century has always intrigued me as well as riding the Skyline Drive from the Front Royal entrance up to Big Meadows or so. One of my co-workers is also trying to sell me on the idea of one of the 100-mile mountain bike races. Then last Tuesday I went on one of the local group rides and I got dropped sooner then I would have liked. Sure it was the fast group but I would like to think with more focused training and work on hill climbing I could finish the ride with the pack.

So I have refocused. It also doesn’t hurt that The Tour is in full swing and super exciting. All of it has been very, very motivating and just feels right. So this week endurance miles are my focus.

I dressed today with some new clothing to try out and see how it works. The new clothing consisted of a pair of Assos socks and a Descente jersey. After I test them out a little more there will be a review posted here. I headed out today with a heart rate range in mind and off I went. I felt good to start and the ride just got better and better. I don’t think I have ever had such a fun solo ride! It made me realize that I do have improving fitness and that I can ride faster then I thought. Or maybe it was the new jersey and or the new socks. For me there is always some extra motivation and inspiration when I try out new things, it’s fun.

So from a heart rate standpoint the ride was a little more of an output then I originally had in mind. I just couldn’t let the opportunity and the fun I was having pass me by. I felt like I was flying with my bliss only snapped with a short trip back to reality momentarily caused by my cell phone ringing.

We all have these rides sometime or other and they aren’t soon forgotten. But the question still begs. Was it the new jersey, new socks or just plain new found fitness? I’ll stick with the new found fitness because if “one of those rides” is as simple as a new pair of socks or a jersey I’d be in trouble.

 Wishing you “one of those rides” real soon.