Longest December Ride Ever

This Ride: 52 miles
Kona Distance: 5,118.9 miles
Month to date: 72.8 miles
2010 Total: 5,605.4 miles

This was my longest December ride ever … but that’s not saying a lot. Yesterday was my longest December ride to date also.  If the Severna Park Peloton has its way, I’ll do a brevet (200k) a week from tomorrow.  I’m still undecided about that.  Today was helpful in thinking about it.

There were 9 of us for the 5:45 ride this morning, and it was a warmish 33 degrees when I left my house.  Only Chip rode his fixie.  Six of us continued on to the Hard Bean for breakfast.  We had fairly slow service, and we lingered a bit more than usual, knowing that it would be chilly getting back on the bikes after our bodies had a chance to cool and we were still damp from sweating.  Indeed, that was true.  The first few miles after breakfast were pretty chilly.

Soon we were dropping riders as they headed for home.  Clint and I were the last two on the trail, and he jumped off at the Rusty Bridge.  I continued on and did the airport loop to end the morning with 52 miles.  I had one additional chilly stretch at about mile 40-42, but soon was able to warm back up by keeping the pedals turning and making sure I was hydrated.  I still could have consumed more water.  After leaving the SPP group, I saw no other riders (26 miles).  That’s a first.

This was my longest ride since the end of October (OC11), although I did have three rides nearly as long in November.  I really think these longer rides are important for the kind of learning that goes on and for increasing my stamina on the bike.

The bike is desperately in need of cleaning and some maintenance.  I hope to be able to get to that today or sometime over the weekend.