Countdown to OC11 – 2 Days

This Ride: 22.3 miles
Kona Distance: 4,382.5 miles
Month to date: 572.5 miles
2010 Total: 4,869 miles
Pace to 5,254.8 mile goal in 2010: (304.6 miles ahead of goal pace)

I didn’t ride yesterday. It was raining. The bed felt good. Dave & Dan rode and had a good ride. Good for them.

This morning was a surprising 66 degrees with a little light fog.  That meant a wicking base layer and a jersey.  No wind vest & no full-fingered gloves.  That is just a treat this time of year.

Dave sent out an email last evening indicating this would be the last “Torture Thursday” ride of the year.  I emailed back that anyone ethically opposed to torture could ride with me at 5:46.  The trail was wet, littered with leaves, and most took me up on the ride.  Only Dave and Bryan took off at a quick pace.  Soon we had about 6 riders on a comfortable pace … which they let me set as the rest settled in and talked.  It wasn’t fast, we did the hill in Round Bay, and we turned around where the trail was closed due to repairs being made.

I rode this morning with a new helmet mounted light.  That little bit of extra light was very welcome this morning.  I’m intrigued that wet roads don’t reflect light as well as dry ones, and so newly paved roads (like Old County Road) can absorb the light like a black hole.  The 50-70 lumens really added a lot, and wherever I turned my head, there was light.  I made sure I shined it at the cars approaching from the side as an added “let’s make sure they see me” insurance.

Dan discovered yesterday that his schedule will allow him to ride OC11.  That’s really good news.  We should have a good group riding.  Have I said yet that I’m really looking forward to it?