First day back today - I've been off my bike 6 months, doctor's orders after surgery. Hellish!

I took a short ride last night, 6 miles, to make sure I could still steer and pedal at the same time. Then this morning, back out on the bike path for my regular commute - 14 mile round trip. I had to leave at 5:30 am to get to my last physical therapy appointment (I'm so sick of North St. Claire I could DIE) -- it was already full-on daylight when I left.

I expected to be nervous -- hell, I sort of expected to just fall over when I started! But it was a beautiful morning, and it was early so the trail wasn't too busy, and Lake Michigan was gorgeous as usual. Somebody has spray-painted "SLOW DOWN!" all over the MUP by the lake -- it looks too free-form to be official, but reads too official to be anything but lame. That's like, soccer-mom with a bike-grudge and an airbrush. (no offense to non-vandalizing soccer-moms intended!)

I didn't know what to expect from myself, but the bike was in the same gear I left it in, and I didn't have to gear down. Still made all the hills I'd made before. I went a little slower - I've got a titanium plate in my neck now, so the consequences of crashing are a bit stiffer -- but not too much, and by the time I was on my way home tonight I was back at my old speed.

I've seriously missed my wheels.