So, it's Sunday morning. Big ride day. Yesterday, I had to choose a bike, which meant thinking about the ride I want to do. Serious (for me) climbing? Or standard 60 mile rolling ride? I spent a fair amount of time dithering on that question, during which my mind ended up focused on two bikes - one with climbing gears, one definitely without. In the end I went for the one with climbing gears, but it was in the back of my mind all afternoon, including a few minutes standing in the garage looking at both bikes and imagine the ride I could do with each. I even spent 5 minute swapping the single bottle cage on the non-climbing bike for two cages from another bike, because one bottle would mean making sure I hit water stops at least once, maybe twice. I also made sure my lights, Garmin, and radar are all charged.

Once i made a decision, it took me maybe 5-10 minutes to prep the bike. Laying out helmet and pocket stuff (like food) was quick.

This morning, I'm checking the weather and trying to figure what temp it will be where I will be at various times and what that means for my clothing choices. Once i decide, it'll take me 30 seconds to lay it out.

Now, I'm trying to drink enough coffee and eat enough breakfast. I'll make up a couple bottles of sports drink. Then it's largely up to the GI tract to determine when I get dressed. That process probably takes 10-15 minutes from standing in my PJs in the bedroom to heading out the door with a fully prepped bike, covered in sunscreen, dressed, with helmet ad shoes, with my pockets full of food, phone and ID and some money in a ziploc, house keys, etc.

So how much time is that? I guess you could add up the actions - 5 minutes of bike prep, 30 seconds each laying out clothing and accoutrements. 10 minutes to get dressed and out the door and it's under 20 minutes. But the WHOLE process takes a lot more time, it's just that it's not the only thing I'm doing most of the time.