There aren’t too many movies that engage me and turn my emotions. I’m kind of an “even-keel” sort of guy and don’t really have extreme ups or downs. But, apparently the recent Star Trek reboot knows exactly how to get inside me and push the right buttons. That movie is awesome and I smile continuously throughout the whole thing. Thus, a Saturday viewing this past weekend kept me in a good mood throughout.

It was a good enough mood that I had to get on the bike and try for an outdoor ride. The weather cooperated on Sunday afternoon with low-40s temps and a steady (but rideable) wind in the low teens from the south. 40 degree temperatures are my official ticket to ride outside (I don’t like the 30′s) and I bundled up to get some much-needed time in my legs.

Up until this point, my rides have been taking place in the basement. I’ve been doing pretty well, with a solid four or five rides each week. This is most likely due to my recent purchase of rollers. Earlier in the winter, I borrowed my brother’s rollers to try them out and see if I liked them. Finding that they were a superior experience to my fixed, fluid trainer, I bought my own set and have been putting in the miles when I get a chance.

I won’t lie when I say that my primary motivation involves my weight. This past winter, I put on more pounds that I usually do and find myself a good 15 pounds heavier than I would like to be.

Probably too much beer.

But, I’ve mended some of my eating ways and engaged in the bike with hopes of knocking down some of the extra tonnage. There is nothing like spending a hour on the bike in my local, rolling hills to make me sweat and earn some of the burned calories. Unfortunately, this also comes with sore muscles – but it’s still worth it.

Sunday’s ride hit the usual roads – leading out the Lake Independence and through the non-existent town of Medina. It is never flat and I am either climbing or descending. In the middle of the summer (with hundreds of miles in my legs) this can be a good thing. For the first significant ride of the season – it’s torturous. My legs have lost all of their snap and just cannot generate the power to push. Thus, ever hill eventually was summited in my granny-gear and I had to accept that I was back to square-one with my fitness levels.

Of course – that’s not all bad news. If anything, it simply gives me the motivation to get out there and suffer some more. I don’t have my own version of “Scotty” in my body – so any added power has to be earned.