Wake up Call

I woke up this morning and said, "Holy Clam Chowder! I'll be able to ride in a few weeks. I need to get in shape!"
Thankfully this doesn't involve rigorous exercise and a diet plan. Really, I've just been lazy these last few snowy months. I need to stretch more, do Pilate's to work on core and back strength, do squats/lunges to prep my legs and maybe lift some light arm weights.
The stretching is pretty obvious, one of the best ways to avoid an injury is to have loose, stretched legs before jumping on a bike and pedaling 130+ pounds up a hill. I've discovered over the last few years that doing some basic Pilate's on a regular basis allows me to avoid back pain and back strain. I also feel stronger even though I don't look any different and that is important from a psychological point of view when I get back out on the road. Doing squats helps build a little bit of quad strength and seems to be a key factor in avoiding cramping on a hill or when I get home. It also helps me focus on the different leg muscles so that when I get back on the bike I can try to focus on using all my muscles. The arm weights are more for aesthetic reasons. I don't have any serious weights or a membership to a gym but using my little weights regularly helps me feel like my underarm fat won't be flapping in the wind on the downhills.
My goal then is to do two of the above exercises each day. With two to three weeks left before the roads are manageable that should give me a chance to get into the swing of things. I think it is a little strange that when I'm not riding, any form of exercise is time consuming, frustrating and nearly abhorrent. But once i'm back in the saddle doing these other little things in my downtime will be exciting, energizing and delightful.
Must be one of those "rainbow connection" things... someday I'll figure out why.