It’s been four years. Four years since I’ve put my backside on a bike. Four years since I’ve pedaled my way down the trail.

I’ve been enjoying my running, but the weather’s gotten blistering hot, and I just can’t run in that kind of heat. I can ride on the Katy Trail in that kind of heat, though.

I put in at the Busch Greenway Trail. When I was last on the Katy, this connector was just being built. I had no idea it would turn out so nice. Three-quarters of a mile of paved path down to the Katy, paralleling and crossing little flows of water… it really turned out nice.

I hit the trail, and headed north. And rode, and rode, and rode. It was wonderful! I finally got to the end of the shaded trail, and turned around. Before I knew it, an hour had passed, and I’d ridden almost ten miles. It was just like old times.

What surprised me more was the difference in calorie burn. For the speed I run — which is glacial… three-toed sloths have been known to pass me by — it’s almost a two-to-one difference as compared to running. Add to that the lessened impact on my knees and feet, and suddenly cycling looks like my vehicle for the summer.

Watch out Katy… poppa’s back.