Forcing Spring by Sheer Will

Actually we all know that doesn't work because we'd have been having this weather here a month ago, but whatever.

We took our bikes in today for check-ups. The cool thing about Erik's Bikes is they won't give you a tune up if you don't actually need it (unlike The Hub). They told me all I needed was a bracket thingy re-aligned and that's all they did. Nice! In fact I got the call that they finished my bike as I was walking through their parking lot to my car.

Missy got something or other fixed up and had her new clip-in pedals put on. The nifty thing about that is that that particular service includes attaching the cleats to your shoes!

What I also like about Erik's is that while their employees are clearly knowledgeable, they have never made me feel like a less important customer because of my distinct lack of knowledge about bikes and biking. Maybe us newbs are more likely to spend more money, I don't know. The guys at Erik's in Eden Prairie are super cool.

While we waited for Missy's bike, we hit Lake Calhoun for a walk. It was nice-ish. Clear sky, sunny, 45 or so degrees. But dang it was windy. You could only really feel it for about a third of the way around the lake, but it was chilling. I, being "optimistic" about the weather, had on a hoodie and down vest. Not exactly windproof, but perfectly comfortable for most of the walk. I quizzed Missy on dog breeds.

We were originally going to do Lake Harriet, but Lake Calhoun is closer to Jamba Juice. The Jamba is attached to a Whole Foods, so we did a circuit in Whole Foods for free samples, bought a few completely impulse purchases (cookies, a cinnamon twist, some crackers).

We went back to Erik's and picked up the bikes and as soon as we got home Missy put her shoes on and tried to figure out the pedals. She did a couple laps around our parking lot and let's just say that she'll have to do some more parking lot practicing before she heads out on the road. Rule #1: Pull your feet out of the clips before you hit the brakes, come to a complete stop, and begin to fall over sideways.

Nice afternoon to be out. Nice afternoon hanging out. It still amazes me that after this long I can spend so much time with her and not get bored or feel awkward or struggle for conversation. I think we're both amazed that we made it through a whole week in Costa Rica with pretty much no one to talk to but each other. We can be quiet when we have nothing to say. We can talk about some heavy stuff. That's one smart girl. I love it. Big sexy brain.