So I got back on the road today -- and I'm so happy about it. First ride since March 14 when I did 25 miles the morning before ending up in the emergency room and then the operating room (emergency bowel obstruction surgery). Of course I got a flat because on another thread I mentioned that I'd never gotten a flat on this particularly bike. I don't know if someone did it on purpose or not, but I ran over a staple-gun staple and because it took me forever to change the flat (it was my first flat-change on a road bike in 20 years and I'm not exaggerating) I ran out of time for a longer ride and just did a quick circle around back over the same route I just traveled. I found several staples there in the bike lane -- all unused and not near any place where a person would need to use them. I hope someone didn't leave them there on purpose but of course like everyone else here, I wouldn't be surprised.

Needless to say I picked them all up and called our county roads people to ask them to sweep the road -- they're unbelievably great about doing that when you ask.

At any rate, the important thing is that I got back on the road and it was good and my legs felt strong. Major happiness.

that's great! welcome back!

Good job picking up the other staples.

Good to hear you're back out spinning.

Reminds me of the old Timex commercials. Takes a licking and keeps on ticking. You are awesome

12-3 final

Great to read this one, my entire weekend just got made for the better.

Bill

Welcome back ..... keep pedaling. Everyone gets knocked down from something and you got up and got back on the back. Keep going...

you get a rare coasting smiley.

Aw, thanks everybody. You guys kept me going when I was stuck indoors. I have to say it's gratifying to feel so comfortable on my bike now. I'm by no means overconfident at all, but only a year ago, I was still figuring the whole road bike thing out. Today even after nearly a month layoff, I felt really good and stronger than I expected. And when I got the flat, I just clipped out and pulled over without even thinking about it. In the past, I would have freaked out.

Welcome back.

Excellent. And good to see you got your gender cleared up right in the thread title!

Surgery is a lousy, though often only, way to cure disease or fix a problem. Glad you are OK.

I finally got the hint. Haha

Eh wasn't hard to figure out considering your blog and twitter. Like your Ridley Orion. 4.5 miles at 13.3 avg with max of 20 mph. Cool stuff. I hope you get to ride some more.

I did think maybe you were Asian. Almost thought your name was Shyon Leung. But now I understand your name.

I'm always impressed to hear cyclists brave enough to get back on the road after an accident. Awesome.

Thanks but Rowan was referring to the few posters who kept calling me "dude". :-) Not that it bothered me much. Just added it for clarity. Didn't have an accident, just an operation. BoSoxYacht was the one who had a bad run in with a car.

As for my ride, I was surprised how strong my legs felt. I was riding with the wind for part of it but I was also mostly in the big ring even when I was going into the wind. I didn't run Strava that day but the pedaling felt free and easy. Like I hadn't taken a long break from THR road. I only ever started using the big ring in January. Before this ride, I did about 5 sessions on the trainer - mainly 45-minute intervals -- but I didn't overly tax myself.

One thing I've noticed in the past though is how much stronger I am if I take a couple of days off before a big ride. That and good sleep the night before seem to be the best indicators of how strong my riding will be that day.

Rest days are as important as training days. Unless you're doping with steroids you need them. So no surprise.

That's the secret to the awesomeness of steroids. Your muscles recover within 24 hours so you can train everyday, even twice a day. Most people need 36-48 hours of rest.

Me, I'm just working on endurance so not worried about rest days or easy days. Not doing any training/intervals etc.

Champ! Welcome back, and thanks for picking up the staples! Hope you don't run into any more.