Training weather cooperating nicely!

The weather in Chicago has been fabulous!  It was 72 while I road yesterday and supposed to be about the same today.  It is as if the weather knows I need to get in some longer rides to be ready for the trip.  Thanks Mother Nature for cooperating, greatly appreciated!
Although, the headwind that is coming in out of the south/southwest bringing the nice warm air is certainly of a stiff nature.  That is creating a significant challenge in pushing the bike against a formidable force.  But I am taking it on as an opportunity to strengthen my abilities to conquer the hills and mountains that lie ahead on my trip.  So the headwind is not an obstacle but an opportunity!  Yes, that's it, an opportunity!  The 12-15 mph (20-24 kph for my Canadian and other worldly friends) with gusts to 20 mph is a blessing that I graciously accept and push through.  I not on only push through, I am trying to accelerate through at a minimum of 16 mph while trying to maintain 18 mph (ouch!).  It fits into that beloved cyclists rule #5 of HTFU!

Epilogue:  today's ride was a bit tougher than previous days.  The weather is supposed to turn this evening with a cold front coming in.  The result was an extreme shift and intensity in wind.  Translation:  holy c#*^ was it windy.  The flags were standing straight out with gusts and shifts coming headon and from the side.  Can you say west Texas!  The wind would gust up and bring me from 16 mph to a virtual stand still.  Gotta love the challenge.  But I look at it as such; a little more pain now will translate into a lot less later.  Or at least I hope that is the case....  :)

At the turn of my ride with Lake Michigan as a backdrop.  That is the view pretty much throughout my ride.  What a beautiful day!