Attitude Adjustment (Retry)

This Ride: 30.9 miles
Kona Distance: 4,313.4 miles
Month to date: 503.4 miles
2010 Total: 4,799.8 miles
Pace to 5,254.8 mile goal in 2010: (355.5 miles ahead of goal pace)

Now that was more like it.

This morning the clock went off at 4:50, and I got up without any real effort.  I took the time to pull on all the cool weather riding gear I could, and was out the door by 5:30.  It was chilly.  Those first few miles have me thinking about a winter parka and mittens, but with a little riding, I warmed right up.

Six of us pushed off from the Rusty Bridge, and we picked up Clif at the Ranger Station.  We were missing some regulars like Dave P, Mike B, and Jeff S.  The biggest news was Bryan on his new to him fixie, a pink (although he had a different name for the pink) frame with green tires.  This was Bryan’s first fixie so we took it easy on him, both with the “pixie” (pink fixie) and with the learning curve for riding a bike with no gears and no ability to coast.

We had to negotiate the closed portion of the trail, and there was discussion about whether or not to do “THE WALL” or to risk all the traffic on Highway 2.  We chose Highway 2, and were able to get back onto our regular route before reaching Highway 50.

Chris flatted on Old County Road, but the tube change went quickly.

Four had breakfast at the Hard Bean in Annapolis, and then it was back into Severna Park, once again modifying our route to avoid the closed section of the trail.  We did stop on the Naval Academy Bridge for photos of the gorgeous sunrise.

We had one of the slowest paces I’ve ridden in a long time, but it was probably exactly what I needed.  When we all split up and headed home, I continued on for another 5 miles to grab Lori’s car at her work and get some work done on it today.

That was the indication that my attitude had been adjusted.  I enjoyed the group ride, took it easy, and was quite content to ride further.  I even considered whether or not I would add the airport loop this morning before picking up the car, but decided that I didn’t want to do anything to change the positive feeling of the morning.