Slow, Steady Progress

Sunday's rain-shortened ride started a 6-day streak of rides that never took me far from home.

Today was my sixth straight day on the bike and that’s pretty good for April in Wisconsin. In fact, that’s the first time I’ve accomplished the feat since 2020. The streak won’t get any longer, though, as tomorrow’s wind chill will be in the 30s. Sunday looks cold too. And that kind of cold is not uncommon around here in April, but it will feel like a real insult after our recent run of warm weather. On Monday, West Bend reached 80° for the first time since October 5.

I’m up to 20 outdoor rides so far this year, which is far ahead of last year’s pace. In 2025, I didn’t do my 20th outdoor ride until June 5! Miles are starting to add up, too. Today’s ride brought me to 400, year-to-date. That’s only 20 miles per ride on average, but longer rides are coming soon.

This was my first 100-mile week since September 29–October 5. That was a 203-mile week, and it will be a while before I do one of those in 2026.

I’ve said many times that I don’t feel “switched on” until I have the first 1,000 miles in my legs each season. I would need uncommonly good weather to reach that threshold this month, but things are looking good for May.

All Of This And Weight Gain, Too!

On April 1, only a fool would claim to know that Washington County is done with winter weather. In fact, there’s a freezing rain advisory tonight, so don’t be surprised if tomorrow’s news is filled with highway accidents and power outages. A month into the semantics fantasy of “meteorological spring,” we are just as likely to have a day in the 30s as one in the 60s.

Weather in the first quarter of 2026 had its ups and down; it wasn’t a complete disaster. I took the road bike outside more frequently than expected. Nonetheless, it’s disappointing to come out of this winter with the same significant weight gain that characterizes all of my winters. I begin the second quarter of 2026 heavier than I was at any point in 2025. Some of that weight gain was intentional: I have improved my bone density and added about 5 pounds of muscle by following a new strength training program. But I have added too much fat at the same time. Just like last year–just like every year–I will rely on long bike rides to burn off the belly.

I freely admit that I didn’t do everything I could have done for my health and fitness during the first quarter. Commitment to a good indoor cycling program might have made a big difference. I’m satisfied with the other activities I tracked, but yeah, I could have done more. Here’s the breakdown:

Oh, and:

The grand totals:

That’s a lot … yet, not enough. It’s never enough.

Spring 2026 Officially Arrives!

My outdoor rides so far. Short and slow, but outdoors!

It is no longer a false spring. Spring 2026 officially arrived on Friday. And that was a nice enough day but not as nice as today’s 72° masterpiece. I rode outdoors on both days, racking up 42 miles. So, that’s 9 rides and 182 miles this year, a humble start but far better than last year’s pace: 2 rides for a total of only 30 miles by March 21. High winds kept me from doing more today. You take the bad with the good in Wisconsin’s spring: if not for the high winds from the southwest, today’s high temperature would have been 40-something.

There are few remaining traces of the 8-inch snowfall that hit West Bend earlier this week. Still, I’m not willing to rule out more snow before spring takes a firm hold. While our afternoon highs will be in the 40s and 50s next week, overnight lows will sometimes fall below freezing. I’ll make all of my cycling plans with a pencil until May 1.

My preseason plan was to spend 50 hours on the trainer before May 1. I’m not even close to that total and I won’t make up all of the deficit. Ongoing sleep issues lead to low energy that I simply cannot overcome by upbraiding myself for my lack of motivation and discipline. Getting outside does allow me to overcome low energy. Just being outside would be enough but there’s the extra reward of making progress toward my mileage goals. In the 40 days that remain before May 1, I should surpass the 50 hours of cycling that might have been exclusively indoors if not for better-than-expected weather.

The False Spring Of 2026

Today was the first 70° day in West Bend since October 18. I rode outside, of course. And I rode outside yesterday, so I’m 2-for-2 since Daylight Saving Time returned. But the good times won’t last. When I’m shoveling snow this weekend and watching overnight temperatures fall into single digits, I’ll try to remember the last two days with gratitude and accept the return of winter with less bitterness. The weather is not supposed to be this nice this early. My 7 outdoor rides and 140 miles are more than I had any right to expect by this date.

Wrapping Up February 2026

In February, even slow miles are good miles.

In West Bend, today was the seventh day this month with a high temperature of 50° or more. That's not normal, but it has my approval. Things go back to normal tomorrow: freezing temperatures and a little snow. I won’t ride outdoors tomorrow. This month I completed 4 outdoor rides for a total of 82 miles. Yes, I missed a couple of opportunities. No regrets, though. I came into this month expecting nothing. My personal record for February is 285 miles, set in 2017. So, I didn’t come close to setting a new PR, but 82 was my highest total outdoors in February since 2020, and today’s ride was my longest so far this year. Good enough.

First Outdoor Miles Of 2026

I dispute Garmin’s claim that West Bend reached 50° today. We got close, certainly, and it looks like we’ll get there on each of the next three days. Whatever the real temperature was today, it was good enough to draw me outside for my first ride of 2026. And the ride wasn’t much – I started too late in the afternoon to be ambitious – but the first ride of a new year is always an occasion to celebrate.

The 2026 WCA Road Schedule

 

The 2026 ToAD Schedule

Presenting The 2026 Cheesehead Roubaix

Cheesehead Roubaix is getting a makeover! This year’s route will be very different, introducing you to exciting gravel sectors never featured before. The 66-mile ride will include about 7 miles of gravel roads and nearly 2,000 feet of climbing. Want to test your fitness coming out of Wisconsin’s long winter? This is the ride for you! And it’s only 13 weeks away: Cheesehead Roubaix XV will begin at Newburg Fireman’s Park on Saturday, May 2, at 9 a.m. CDT.

Cheesehead Roubaix is free of charge, but please consider making a voluntary contribution to the Newburg Fire Department to show your appreciation for the use of its facility. Donations will be accepted at the concessions stand before and after the ride. NFD is a small, all-volunteer department. Your generosity will make a big difference! And to ensure NFD has enough food and drink in stock at the concessions stand for post-ride sales, please confirm your attendance on the Facebook event page.

There will be no mid-ride rest stop on the new route. Food and drink will be available for sale at minimarts along the route. See the cuesheet for locations.

Cheesehead Roubaix is designed for self-sufficient cyclists. Be prepared to handle your own flat tires and other minor mechanical issues. The ride uses only open public roads and park paths. You are responsible for your own safety and conduct, and you are expressly not exempt from Wisconsin traffic laws. Represent the sport well. Please visit the Cheesehead Roubaix website and print out your own copy of the cuesheet and map. The website also offers data files for GPS devices.

See you on May 2!

Unattached

For the first time in 15 years, I am a man without a cycling team.

When Pedal Moraine announced its closure last September, it was clear that there would be big changes for Team Pedal Moraine. No team loses its title sponsor or its bike shop sponsor without a shakeup, and Pedal Moraine was both of those things to TPM. Team leadership, which itself has undergone many changes since September, worked diligently to find new sponsors/partners. It shared those details with rank-and-file members yesterday when it announced the rebranding of the team as Kettle Moraine Cycling.

I joined Team Pedal Moraine in 2011 and I served as its captain from 2016 through 2021. For most of those years, TPM was the only USA Cycling club based in Washington County. My affiliation with TPM was equal parts bonds of friendship and community pride. Reincarnated as Kettle Moraine Cycling, the team now has no local links, and many of my friends have moved on from competitive cycling. Some have moved on from Washington County! I’m still here, of course, but I don’t know if I’m still a bike racer. I didn’t do any races in 2025. The benefits I might have derived from Kettle Moraine Cycling seemed out of balance with the commitments to which I was asked to agree.

All the best to Kettle Moraine Cycling, but I am now unattached. And I’m not looking for a new team. I surely don’t need to be part of one unless I return to racing … and perhaps not even then.