Intoxicated by the Spinning Wheels

I don't know why, but the first bike ride of spring is my favorite day of the whole year. There's just something about taking the bike off the trainer the first time and doing all the little maintenance checks with so much anticipation for the ride to come that you forget what you're doing.

I feel like I'm 4 years old again: a little unsteady for the first couple feet off the trainer, without any sense of destination, exhilarated at the sense of freedom and the adrenaline rush that accompanies every sweeping kick of the pedals. My legs always feel strongest on the first ride. It's as if they're finally letting out a sigh of relief at finally being off the trainer. I feel like I could ride forever ... until I hit the first big hill.

I wish I could find a way to get paid to ride my bike around the country. Maybe I'll start a new industry; get some gov't bailout money for my start-up costs, and then stick it to the man.