Orchard Road is surprisingly busy at 5am in the morning. Cabs still line the street outside Orchard Towers (shudder) and stragglers snog on the streets in the still of the night/morning.... On a separate note, it was nice and cold this morning when the husband and I set off for our ride. Max bailed due to bad sinus trouble, which I was partially relieved about as I knew the pace would be a little more forgiving.

My cycling legs are non-existent. It's been awhile since I got on my bike - Andrew has not let me forget this - and I knew I was going to feel weak. Felt pretty alright for a bit, but somewhere in Kallang, I knew today's ride had to be short. I wasn't panting at all but I felt like I had no power. My legs were wussing out big time. So rather than continue through, I asked if we could turn back and make the ride a beginner's one for today. 'Okay, sure,' said the husband. Wow, that was easy. He'd usually give me much more grief, I thought. So we did a U-ey and headed back. I figured this was going to be an easy ride after all. So I picked up speed and headed west.

But when Hubba turned into South Buona Vista Road, I knew I was in for more work.

J: I know what you're doing.
A: What?
J: You're taking me climbing.
A: You'd better get into gear then.

South Buona Vista Road is a long and windy climb. It doesn't kill your legs, but you can forget about counting the corners you pass, coz you'll just get frustrated. So I kept going and decided not to feel my legs till we reached the mouth of the road, and when we finally did, I was pretty pleased with myself. But that wasn't enough for my morbid husband. It was still early, he said, so we turned left into NUS and did more. The climbs were tougher there. I was definitely panting now.

A: Okay, darling. Let's turn back.
J: Why?
A: Coz if we keep going that way, we'll have to climb some more.
J: Climb lah.
A: Haha! I like that attitude! Ok, let's go!

Andrew wore a grin all the way home. We were in Clementi when he detoured and turned into another road with a hill on the way back - Cheeky bugger.

... So ends my tale of my naughty husband and my ride this morning.