Is it the wind or is it just me?

Last week, I went out on my bike suspecting it might be another "weak" day, but I really had no idea. I am not quite to where I have a good feel for what I am going to be able to do on a certain day, but I had no idea this day was going to be so bad. I think the wind was blowing towards the Northwest and I was struggling against it going East uphill. I am not sure how hard the wind actually makes it, but I am certain there's a definite difference. I only made it about 5.5 km that day. :p

I've actually biked a few times since my last entry and will record them here for prosperity:
Goal for each day: 8km
5.5 (the windy day)
10.5
11.5 (estimate)
~5 (I was going to meet a friend for coffee and found a quick opportunity to hit the trail. It wasn't to the Starbucks, though. I will probably not ever have enough audacity to get out on a busy street here where there's no bike lane.)
12.55 (Today!)

I "took it easy" on the bike trail today and actually ended up going further than I've ever recorded myself going. This was a really nice trip come to think of it. It had all the great features I've been seeing lately, including the trail that's not closed when you approach it from the East, but is suddenly closed when you come back to it from the West. Needless to say, I've simply gotta get back home, so I ignore the trail closed sign and keep right on tracing my steps. The "closed" path is through a part of the trail that I think is rather odd. It's in a park near my elementary school and the park usually has at least one family in it. The families like the trail, but it's a park and nobody keeps in mind it's a bike trail, despite the signs. I get to stop and talk to people frequently due to this.

I talked to a family tonight that was getting onto some kids for riding on the handlebar of the bike. They apparently did not realize that here you go with traffic, so they mentioned that too. Nope, here you go with traffic when you're riding in the bike lane. (Am I right or am I right?) No matter.... I seldom ride on the road except when it's necessary to connect to an adjoining bike trail. I know, this blog needs some pictures.

I did not have the bike gear going today for sure. The back reflector fell off my bike, but to top it off, I wore all black today. I was not really thinking about being on the bike until it happened. I really should get some bike-friendly clothes.... but trust me, the city is in no way ready to see me in spandex yet.

So, I wish I could remember names along with faces. Why? Because I passed by someone who had an exhibit at Earthfest and I could not tell you who the heck he is for the world. He had an exhibit that gave a very environmentally friendly plan for the US as a network of eco-villages, one of the features being gravity-driven bike ramps for connecting between the villages. He wore a cap with a solar fan on it to keep him cool. I saw that crisp face and smile right under his helmet as he waved happily to me. I doubt he remembered me, but I can't forget that man. I love idealism in general. If you can't dream far out, how are you going to get half-way there?
Hmmmm?

One thing that gets me is that ever since I started biking, my arms and chest have felt it a bit. It made me nervous at first because I knew about lower body benefitting from cycling, but upper body? Well, apparently the forward lean onto the mountain bike as I ride around is benefitting my arms and chest. After some comments by someone very close to me that my arms had gotten stronger, I decided that I would lift some weights, so on Monday, I went to the gymn and did my first set of curls, bench press, backpress, etc. in at least a year if not more. Let's just say it's Thursday and I am still sore. After my bike ride today, my triceps were really getting to me. I think I am helping the tomato get to my mouth by bending my neck.... I am not totally sure. Anyways, I am sure it will go away in time. Just for now, I am sore as heck and biking did not help. :p We're on for tomorrow!