with the Bluebonnets starting, can spring be far behind?

Although they are not quite out this full yet, the Texas Bluebonnets are staring to bloom.

We did a moderate 43 mile ride today in 3 hours. We started in Fulshear and rode up through Pattison down through San Felipe and back to Fulshear. The weather was nice, 70's ish, dry and sunny. There were some fairly strong headwind gusts every now and then but by and large the shoulder was wide, the traffic was not heavy, although what there was, consisted almost entirely of big 18 wheelers and or farm trucks and horse vans. I guess that's the result of riding on country highways. There were some curves and a couple of windy sections plus a few gentle rolls and several crossing of the Brazos river and Bessies' creek to add interest. We saw a lot of early wild flowers, mostly daisy types, Indian Paintbrush, Evening Primroses and several types of purple and pink flowers we didn't recognize.

While we were in Arizona we both had our bikes worked on. Phil's was in for its complimentary 1000 mile new bike check and mine was in for a major overhaul/ 1500 mile/ revamp in preparation for the upcoming long ride. Today's ride was a good chance to check out the bikes and make sure everything was back together properly.

With a new chain, two new tires and new brake pads, plus everything tightened, the frame tightened and checkd for cracks and dings, the Trek rides beautifully as always, with the exception that the smallest gear on the derailleur still chatters a bit and needs tweaking. I will ride it up and get it taken care of in the next ride. Phil had no complaints about or adjustments on his bike so that's good news.

Although I enjoyed the Fuji bike I was riding in Arizona, I could have used the extra gears on my Trek Pilot for the hills there. I also felt a little disloyal about riding another bike and was wondering how my bike would feel about it. Today's ride proved we are still a team. It felt great!

Phil did a heavy spin class yesterday and was feeling a bit leg weary so our pace was pretty leisurely until we split up at the last 10 miles. Then I took off and rabbited ahead to pick up the car, and drive back and SAG Phil. He was only a mile or so back so it was pretty obvious that my rabbiting wasn't all that spectacular but at least I had it in me.

Tonight I am feeling sore and weary, both from the ride, and a from a training session yesterday which was done almost enitrely with weights on a large balance disc which used all sorts of tiny muscles and twitch reflexes in my legs that I rarely use.

Fortunately, Phil and I will be demonstrating spinning and weaving at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo tomorrow so we'll both be able to sit and relax a bit and tire our vocal muscles instead of our riding muscles.