Blowing in the wind

This winter has been the worst winter ever. I don't recall when we have had this bad of a snow blown, frozen waste land type of winter in my life of 51 years. Our weather is not global warming as far as I can tell and no man can interrupt it . Sooo, I'll just stick with the  version that the insurance agency uses, 'act of God'.  But that's not what I want to talk about...it is the weather that has been a boon for the cyclists in SW Florida.

The windy days have supplied us with built in resistance to ride against with moveable scenery! Saturday I rode a 30 mile scenic journey with 20 to 30 mph gusts. It was a short ride...on the return, but going was the best time I've had on my Trek in a while. I think it's the thrill of accomplishment that gets me 'rock-in' in the saddle.  What I mean is shear challenge of a18 mph head wind while keeping the HR in the range of 147 to 157, still moving at a pace that is faster than 'standing still' and smiling as I beat out my rhythmic  cadence is the best.

There were four bridges to go over, two long ones with steep inclines on small and one do that was steep enough to ask your self "was that even needed'?  I approached each one with respect knowing that the wind on top of an unprotected bridge could just as easily have ended in disaster rathe than the leg burning. blood pumping  endurance ride I wanted. Of the four bridges the first and the last are nice big crushers. Not like the big mountains in the western states that go forever, but big enough with the addition of the constant wind and gusts to make it feel like a good hill workout. Enough in fact that as I got to the top of the 200 yard incline of the bridge in the photo above, at the end of my out ward bound leg,  I was out of my saddle and keeping my hr at 157 this gust stopped me dead in my tracks like a hugh hand pushing against and say 'none shall pass'...that I will never forget!
It took me 1 hour and fifteen minutes to get to the mid point and thirty five minutes to get back. WHAT A RIDE! I go back.
If I pass you on the road stop at Peets, because your buying.
PS keep an eye on the velo news and blogs, it's beginning to heat up for the pro-teems.