Next weekend is coming fast. I took a ride today, made myself take a ride in the cold -that is. I have a sore throat/sore lungs thing going on so it was kind of painful, but I had to go. I pulled out my winter commuter gear and got set up - cold weather riding is a past-tense conversation now I realized; I didn't ride to work last winter and I'm probably not going to this year either. 35 degrees at the start felt really cold, but would have been a nice day mid-season, I told myself. Other than breathing I was comfortable but my legs weren't easily on top of the gear. I think I'm going to get a "20" this week rather than my usual 42/18. I'd rather spin more than suffer, I'll bring both.

My goal was simply to find where the new Luce Line trail starts at Theo-Wirth and check it out. Turns out it's just that dirt road along the golf course that goes from the parkway to the main TW trail start. Only now it's paved. As I rolled up I saw other riders, several of them, serious looking. 40 yards past the MTB entrance I ran into an in-progress Cyclo-Cross race. Steel single-speeds and carbon dream bikes for the most part. Definitely a Minneapolis vibe. I sat and watched and felt overdressed and under-fit.

I rode home resolving to get on my bike more this fall and winter. I really want it to be warmer next weekend, but if it's not I still want to go. If it's raining, maybe not. If it's snowing..., I guess we'll have to play it by ear.