Great End To Week One

Not out of the woods yet: we still have a lot of snow on the ground.

As I mentioned in my previous post, I have begun structured training for the 2011 cycling season.  This weekend provided a terrific finish to the first week of the program.  On Saturday I rode for two hours at the trainer party and today I rode outside for the first time this year.  With temperatures in the high 40s and bright sunshine, it was a treat to spend 90 minutes looping through West Bend.  The Eisenbahn State Trail is passable from Decorah Elementary School north to Barton Avenue.  Most paved sections of the Riverfront Parkway and many city park paths are clear too.  Unpaved trails are still snow-packed, and even when they clear it will be a while until they are firm enough to ride without leaving deep ruts.  Looking at the forecast, there could be more opportunities to ride outside this week.  And it might rain.  A good, all-day soaker would clear up a lot of the remaining snow and wash the crud off the roads.