When you are off the bike for an extended time which muscles go soft the most? I learned that my neck muscles went soft for me. The last time i wore a helmet riding out side was November 11th. Then I rode indoors on Zwift for several days before leaving on a trip to Ohio and New York City. Of course, I don’t wear a helmet when I ride my Wahoo Kickr Core smart trainer which meant it has been 24 days since I rode with a helmet. Not long after I started today’s bike ride at 12:34 PM my neck muscles had trouble holding my head up. My helmet doesn’t weigh very much but it was enough to sag my head a few times as I rode. I thought my legs would complain but if they did my neck shouted louder.

When I ran some errands earlier this morning I ran into some rain which caused me to think I would ride Zwift but the rain didn’t last long and the streets dried mostly. I changed my mind and rode my Cervelo Caledonia on the Atascocita – Walden route. I chose a shorter route with the late start and not wanting to challenge my legs too much after the long layoff. I finished the ride at 2:37 PM riding 25.38 miles. With December weather my road goal is a modest 200 miles. Based on the weather forecast today I might get all of those this week before a cold front moves in next week sometime.

Weather conditions for the bike ride: start 77 (humidity 81%, dew point 71), overcast, wind SW 8 mph; finish 80 (humidity 74%, dew point 71), mostly cloudy, wind S 8 mph gusts 16 mph. The wind felt stronger as the ride progressed but I didn’t pedal harder since I headed north to finish. The weather should repeat tomorrow (Wednesday) and I plan on riding again. I need to build up those neck muscles.

I thought during my absence the FM 1960 road construction would show more progress than I saw today.