Spring is sprung? Really? The calendar says so; but our weather does not.

At 7:30 am, the chill factor was just below freezing. It’s bizarre, after days of afternoon high temperatures over 80 degrees. At least it’s sunny; but as of mid-afternoon, I haven’t been out to ride yet.

In fact, maybe I should skip it today. My left hand feels a bit swollen; and that’s not so good. I suppose I’ve overworked it. Tomorrow I have occupational therapy; and I’ll ask the therapist about it. Possibly the real problem is weakness from post-surgical inactivity; and the gripping required to ride a bicycle is actually good for it!

But it’s still only 51 degrees; and I simply don’t feel like going out. It doesn’t help that it’s chilly indoors, even in front of an electric heater. Working over a laptop tends to turn my brain to mush; and that doesn’t help, either.

Tomorrow it will be a little warmer; and thank goodness, the wind is expected to drop. It’s been blowing quite strongly for several days in a row. Wind makes it feel even colder.

Speaking of wind, I went for a mid-afternoon ride yesterday. For half or three-quarters of a mile, I was riding hard — trying to keep pace with a ship! It was headed upriver, as I was; and I wanted to see which flag was flying from its stern. 

But I had a headwind; and pushing the pace sure got my heart rate up! I don’t have an exact number; but from my PRE, I’m sure I was approaching my maximum heart rate!

By the time I reached the point where trees didn’t obscure my view, the ship was too far from me for a good look at the flag. Luckily the lettering on the stern was large; and I could see the name of the ship’s home port: Monrovia.

There won’t be time for a ride tomorrow morning before I leave for my therapy session, unless I get up at 5:00 am; but I can ride after I get home. I think I’ll make a detour to the farmers’ market on the way; I don’t have to rush to get to work.🙂

And maybe I can enjoy being outdoors tomorrow. Spring is sprung!