I got a new toy last week!

My road bike\’s computer seemed to be wearing out. After I charged up on a Friday night, the thing gave me a Low Battery warning the following Tuesday; and a charge-up used to last a week! So I got a new one:

Garmin Edge 530

The readout screen is different from the one on the old Garmin 520. The data show up in different locations on the screen; and I\’m not sure that the chest strap that I already had is compatible with the new device. So far I\’m not getting a heart rate readout; and I entered my zones via my laptop. Do I have to do something with my cell phone?

All this technology drives me crazy: apps, programs, and so on. Is this how the older generation felt about telephones when they were the latest thing in communications?

Back to my new toy. I might have to bother the bike shop again to figure out how to download my heart rate zones. I\’m not sure which of three apps I need to use; and all this sync stuff makes me feel, well, sunk.

Today was a pace-work day; but I\’m not sure I could say I was working on my pace while I was outward-bound. I had a pretty good tailwind; and averaging over 15 mph for 5.5 miles seemed quite easy. Coming back home of course I had a headwind; and averaged only 11.78 mph. According to NOAA, the wind then was from the East, at 18 mph.

I find that hard to believe. ME, riding well over 11 mph against an 18 mph wind? A wind like that used to push me back to 8 mph, or even slower. Looks like my force work is finally paying off.