I missed 3 days on the bikes and began to feel out-of-sorts. I worked from home on Thursday. The weather was cold and wet so I missed my customary workout. And then on Friday and Saturday, I was busy with house chores. I am home alone so it is a good time to take on some larger project. I painted my den and built a new front gate to match the one at the back.
Painting is a chore. It took 3 days to complete. By the time you move all of the furniture, empty the bookshelves and prep the room a day has passed. And then there is the painting. The ceiling and walls. Another 2 days. So, by the time Sunday afternoon rolled around, I needed to get out. No. I needed to get out on my bike.
When I don’t ride for just a few days, I notice a difference. I don’t sleep as well. I become irritable and impatient. I don’t eat as well. And, I am less positive. Cycling makes me feel better. It clears my mind. And, invigorates my body.
So off I went. I did a 65 km ride into Richmond and the Fraser River delta. It is a relatively flat ride but there is always, and I mean always, a wind. It is usually a westerly but because I circumnavigate Richmond, it is helping when I am eastbound but hurting on the westbound legs. The last 25 km were into the wind including a 4 km climb back up to the house. Surprisingly, I felt strong and relaxed. That is what a ride will do.
I will sleep better tonight. And, I had a nutritious, homemade meal tonight. Tomorrow? Some yard work. The yard has been ignored. The grass needs cutting and the garden is overgrown. And, a bike ride. Hills! Repeat hill climbs. That sounds like a better day.
I know that feeling of being irritable etc when I don’t cycle for a few days I start to feel angry, sluggish, tired and achy. Amazing how cycling makes everything better
I know. It’s not so bad in the winter months when it is cold and wet but this time of year I seem to need a bike fix most days.