The joys of riding outside!!!

OH my goodness! Since I bought my bike, I've been religious about putting time on the saddle (and my sit bones weren't very happy with me), but it has all been on the trainer.... until yesterday!

Our crazy Colorado weather allows for many things, but riding outside in January is not really one of them.  My soon to be coach Mary Carey -from Team In Training -, mentioned she was riding outside and I didn't want to miss the opportunity to learn some things and ride outside (not on my own), so off to Chatfield Reservoir I went!
I met them at 10am, and per her advise, I layered..as in I dressed warm!.  So grateful for ear warmers under the helmet!
It was between 34 and 37 degrees during the entire ride, my toes were numb, but it was a great experience.
I fell 5 seconds in (clip shoes will do that right?) but at second try, I was going!
Such a different experience from being on a trainer. Outside you are WORKING! so much respect for those Tour de France riders, and basically any pro cyclist... it looks easy, it is not!.  You are changing gears constantly, being aware, looking at the road, feeling your body, trying to relax, working your legs... amazing!

My beatiful bike NOVA performed all duties as expected, and now I know how much work I have ahead of me if I'm going to finish an Ironman in the next 3 years.  Lots of training coming my way! Love it!