I didn't think spring would be this painful

I grew up off-and-on in the Netherlands from age 5 until 18. If you know anything about the Netherlands, you likely know that bike culture is huge -- it's the primary mode of transportation. So I grew up biking to school, the grocery store, to friends' houses, the restaurants, to the Saturday market ... you get the point.  I used to watch the Tour de France in the summers, watching all these incredible athletes race through time-trials, climb enormous mountains, and sprint to fantastic finished. (Ignore the part where they fall from grace. I was hooked.) I went and saw the Tour twice live in France. I still have one of the drink bottles that a rider threw onto the side of the road as he flew by. 

While I was still living in the Bay Area, before I moved to Minnesota, I finally invested in a nice road bike. Biking in the Bay Area is a big deal ... I was clearly a novice. When I moved to Minneapolis, I explored the bike paths and used road biking as a source of exercise and mental health. I'd go on solo rides, group rides, and most often, rides with my friend Ron. I was never particularly good -- I think my longest ride was around 57, and I think I stopped about 12 times near the end. I added a gravel bike to my stable over the summer, and found the flexibility to off-road onto trails awesome. Then I bought a mountain bike to open even more new experiences, and I looooved it. Exhilarating, different terrain, different skill requirements. Obviously.

I live right on one of the most popular bike routes in Minneapolis. The snow melted in the last two weeks, and bikers are out in force. And I'll admit, it's really really difficult. I never thought I'd be jealous of seeing someone else decked out head-to-toe in spandex. But it's hard knowing that I can't get out there and ride -- yet. I miss the physical activity and the mental health. And I miss riding with Ron and having philosophical discussions about life, death, and career. Additionally, one of my favorite summer activities was biking from brewery to brewery. Safely, of course. I need to figure the logistics of that out, as well. 

The good news: this week at Courage Kenny I have a fitting for a handcycle that I can rent over the summer. At some point, if I figure it out, I'll probably buy one. And, of course, I'll get a new helmet, because mine got pretty messed up in the fall. (Thanks for saving my life, Giro.) I'll have one of those orange flags and nerdy review-mirrors as well. I doubt that I'll get to France to bike through wine country or to follow the Tour....that seems like a stretch goal.  But, if I've figured anything out, it's how to make stretch goals.