SaiKaiTai

March is such a crazy month. Mrs S and I have our own version of March Madness. It's our own personal thing; I could explain it sometime but I don't think anyone would really care. But, anyway, that's over now as of last Saturday. The weather's been nice, Daylight Saving Time has started and I've been chomping at the bit to get rolling again this week. Then, last Sunday night, I decided to get some stupid flu or another. Riding as an asthmatic presents its own little set of challenges but it's a whole 'nother ball of wax where illness is concerned. As my allergist explained, an asthmatic lives life a bit on edge -in terms of inflamation- and any rspiratory bug can just knock off from that edge toot sweet. Every airspace in my head swelled up like a melon. I dropped 6 pounds in a week doing nothing (including eating)... probably all the muscle I built up when I started doing my mini hill repeats a couple of weeks ago. Well, now, after visiting my doctor yesterday, I'm a walking drug interaction warning and I am finally feeling pretty good. I want to ride! Think I'll go out today and do some light miles and try to get my legs back under me. Being sick sucks

wobblyoldgeezer

Sorry to hear that. Particularly as you say that West Coast weather is nice - must be a frustration to see all that outside.

By way of vicarious compensation, I went out for 55 kms in the RAIN this morning. We don't get a whole lot of that, and it felt wonderful, fresh, clear - settled the dust and made everything sparkle. I'm still in a state of delight to be able to ride again after busting my leg.

So, I wish you a similar sense of riding joy once this infection has passed. Now I have to shampoo my bike down in the shower!

cyclinfool

Breathing is important - everything else will fall into place.

SaiKaiTai

OK, I *did* get out today. It never fails to amaze me how fast you can lose it, especially after a week sick (can't imagine what it's like after breaking a leg, Wobbly. well, I sort of can, yeah). I left the drive way, headed west a few doors, turned back east into a nice 13mph head wind and thought "ohhh, I don't know about this..." Ahhh, screw it! Of course I'm going! And off I went down the hill. Took the Jamis because it's nice bike for keeper to a more relaxed pace and that's just what I needed. Plus, being kind of a X-Cross/Touring bike, it can handle some light off-road and that's exactly what I had in mind. It took awhile to get any kind of legs under me and, even after I did, I didn't have to push very hard to get reminded that I needed to go easy. I might be "better" today but I'm still a few days away from "well". Nothing helps keep you at a mellow pace like pictures and I took a few today, including a couple of panoramas... I love pano shots. In the end, about 12.5 miles. I loved them all.

Here we go... Like I said: I HAD to go for a ride today as you'llo see. Eat your heart out.

BluesDawg

Beautiful.

SaiKaiTai

One thing I've learned through all of the ride pix posted here is that every corner of this country has it's own beauty.
I couldn't live anywhere but here -and never have- but I could surely ride and love all of the roads I've seen here.
Oh, except for, maybe, Kentucky...

That hill with the "nipple" on top (actually a gun emplacement to defend against a Japanese invasion) is right across the street from me, though that's not the angle you're seeing it from. The stories I could tell of that hill. It was where my wife and I started our first date.

The other thing worth noting about that hill is that that plus about another 100 feet is what I have climb via one route or another if I want to go beyoud my own city limits. I drop down another 100 feet or so from where I'm taking that picture and then it's from sea level to the top over about 2.5 miles give or take. Nice climbs. I really envy you who can go for a 40 or 50 mile ride right from your front door with rolling or flat terrain. It uses a lot of gas in the tank to get over that climb sometimes and I wonder just how far could I really go?

Oh, and, that's a real Scottish castle, by the way... brought over stone by stone and rebuilt many years ago. I don't remember why. Oh well...

billydonn

All that distacting scenery... yuck, no thanks! I also have mild asthma and can identify with keeping an eye out for the little things that can cause problems. You are right that beauty is found in a wide variety of places in this land... some of them quite unexpected.

Anyway...Glad you are out and about!

The Weak Link

I lived for two year in San Francisco whilst stationed in the service. When I returned to Kentuckiana I thought it was the butt-ugliest place in the universe.

After a while it grows on you and you begin to appreciate it's charms. The little country roads can be quite charming, especially in the Spring and Fall. As I've mentioned, I can be in the Boonies three miles from my house, and I can be in the deep boonies 10 miles from here. If I cheat and drive my car to one of the parks as a starting point, I can ride in the God-forsaken Wilderness in short order.

But like drinking beer or voting Republican, it does take some getting used to.

SaiKaiTai

Keep in mind, I don't live in Baghdad by the Bay... just close enough to be tainted. And, as you can see, not without its own considerable charm.

In all seriousness, I do sincerely believe that Kentucky is probably a beautiful state. It would have to be, given its location.
But, as you last remark points out, the local population -if you're representative- would be cause for concern.
I'm not big on dogma