The Shift to Outdoors

On Thursday, March 28, I got all the gear I needed to start biking outside. After completely over 1000 kms inside, I was eager to get outside. On Friday, I biked to Winchester Springs and back, which was 16 km, while today I did 44 km going to Grantly road and Limmerick Road. What a different experience it was than biking inside. It felt like I was starting from scratch. Here are a number of differences:
1. Getting off the bike. I am clipped in, which means that when I break and stop, I have to de-clip or I would fall over. Inside, the bike is held in place, but I now I have to think about how to get off.
2. Going straight. Since the bike is light, it is affected by the wind. So especially on Friday, with the strong north wind, I had to make sure I didn't wobble over the road. Again inside, you're secure.
3. Hand placement. Inside your hands are free and it's easy to take a drink of water or use the remote, but on the road, the hands need to be firmly in place.
4. The elements. Inside, it is nice and warm, with no wind, while outside even if there is no wind, you create your own wind, as well as windchill. Friday was cold, and even today my hands felt it.
5. Traffic. It's not something you think about inside, but outside, it is a concern, especially since the bike is not designed to go on the gravel shoulder, but needs to remain on the pavement.
6. The scenery. Inside, I could watch TV, but outside the scenery changes as long as you don't keep looking down at the pavement.
7. People. Inside it's just me. I suppose that outside it can mainly me, but on Sat I stopped at five different homes.
8. Bumps. Inside the ride is as smooth as can be, while outside you feel every bump (especially that last section on County Road 7 today).
As a result, of these differences I am definitely feeling it after doing the 44 kms. I am sore, stiff and tired. I need to work on warm up and warm down exercises. But it was good to be outside, rather than inside. It's a good think I have 11 weeks to train. I'll need it.