The Road Back, Day One.

I haven't ridden yet.

But I went down to the basement today and looked at the bike. That counts for something.

It's a Trek Domane SL, Ultegra components, which I upgraded to from 105 and still wish I hadn't. There is nothing wrong with Ultegra. There is something right about 105 that I can't fully explain and probably never will.

It's on the indoor trainer, in front of a broken TV I used to use for Zwift. The tires are flat. The chain needs attention. My shoes are on the floor next to it with the socks still in them from the last ride. Three years ago.

I didn't touch any of it today. I just looked.

That's where this starts. Not with a century. Not with a training plan. Not with a new kit or a Strava segment or a stiff new pair of bibs.

It starts with a guy in a basement, looking at a dusty bike, with flat tires and three-year-old socks in his shoes.

The road back is longer than thirty miles. But I've done thirty miles before.

I'll do it again.