I haven't been on my bike for a couple of months. I have been going to the gym about six days a week, alternating swimming with weights and treadmill and thoroughly enjoying it.

But today was so gorgeous (75 degrees) I just had to get Ruby out for a spin. A nice twenty miler was fascinating to me because

• I wasn't sore at all, which I worried I might be.
• I could swear I was going about 1-2 mph faster than before, although I can't prove it. I was rumbling along at 15-16, and I remember being a 14-15 kind of guy before this.

Point is, the ride was fun. My knee didn't act up, my feet were good to go, my back didn't talk back, and even my butt wasn't sore after that long absence.

I could also swear I smelled spring in the air. Ah, spring!