3 Rides in Kalamazoo

Let me start by saying that my new ride is incredible. Allez Elite Double 58cm with carbon fork, stays, and seat post and shimano 105 and tiagra derailleurs. Riding it is like riding on a cloud. After spending 2 years and at least 2000 miles on the old Voyager it is an amazing change to be riding something so lightweight and hightech. The gearing is wonderful and with the rapid fire shifters it is so simple to change gears mid-hill. The bike geometry makes for much more comfortable riding and puts me in a stronger position on the bike. After three rides I have no complaints about the bike. So without further ado, on to the rides. The first ride of the winter break happened the day I arrived (Saturday). The Kalamazoo members of Team Buzzy took to a nice 18 mile loop through Galesburg and back around through some neighborhoods and past the old middle school. It was a perfect fall day in the middle of December. A slight chill in the air kept us moving to stay warm and the hills helped a great deal. The wind hindered our pace a bit on the outset of the ride but didn't really hurt us that badly. The numbers were not particularly impressive but it was good to get out. The second ride was the following day (Sunday). The ride wasn't much longer than Saturday's at about 20 miles but all three of us felt so much better. There wasn't as much wind which made the ride feel a lot better. Rode out towards Richland past my old stomping grounds and three lakes where the scout troop used to ice fish and where I got my second set of stiches. Again, the numbers weren't anything to write about but it felt so good to be back on a bike. Yesterday Jim and I went out on probably the last ride of the year (although I'd like to get out once more this weekend if the weather holds). Another 20 miles of Kalamazoo roads that started at a very lively pace. We averaged about 19mph through the first 10 miles or so but tapered off when we started riding into the wind. Made the trip out to our old house and saw how badly developers had torn up our old woods. The damage was noticable but not as bad as it could have been. I still recognized most of my favorite spots in that forest and the wishing rock was still right where we left it nearly 12 years ago. It was a good ride down memory lane even though the numbers weren't great. I'm already itching for another ride but this rain is forcing me to wait. Hopefully tomorrow the roads will be dry enough for another 20 miles. Afterall, I'm only going to the top of the hill.