Spring in New England has never been charitable to cyclists. I remember back in 1983 when I sustained a stress fracture in my foot running. I asked the orthopedic surgeon if I could ride a bicycle to stay in shape for the eight weeks he suggested I not run. He said yes as long as I did not use toe clips and pull. He also said to wear a really stiff-soled shoe so I would not ride with my toes flexed because the fracture was right behind the toe joint. I rode my Montgomery Ward bicycle for six weeks and never gained a pound. At the end of six weeks I threw the bike away because I destroyed the bottom bracket and the headset by riding the bike 40 miles a day, seven days a week. It rained hard for 21 days in April 1983 and was wet for two days in May that year. I froze my hands and feet but I stuck it out and went on to run very well that year. I started riding in March this year which was very cold as was April. May has been wet for most of the month and wearing just a shirt and shorts has been a rare event. I look forward to just a shirt and shorts today because the temp should hit the 70's with no rain.