Well…that hurt

This Ride: 21.8 miles
Month: 205.3 miles
2011: 665.4 miles
Total since 1/1/10: 6,785.1 miles

The morning temperatures signal that the groundhog was right this year. We are experiencing an early spring. It was 42°F when I rolled out of bed this morning.  With the reduced layers we wear, the speed comes up, and that was certainly true this morning.  Six of us met at the Rusty Bridge/Ranger Station and Dave set a pretty quick pace for the group. (I think he was trying to stay warm.  He was wearing nickers).  Ben Mc was out this morning and took a bit of fun razzing now that he has come out of hibernation.

I struggled to keep up.  The hill in Round Bay slapped me down, and I played catch-up the rest of the way to the southern end of the trail.  It was as I lagged that I realized that I was the oldest rider out this morning.  That conclusion didn’t help me catch up.  I don’t know why that should have bothered me.  I’m sometimes the third oldest rider, and I’m still lagging because the older riders are very strong and fast, and they aren’t that much older than I am.

As we split at the end of the ride for our individual rides home, I noted that I had averaged 17 mph for the morning, so rather than backing off the pace, I kept it high the 2 miles home, ending up with a ride average of 17.1 mph.  I was beginning to wonder if I would ever see those speeds again.  There was very little drafting on this ride … it was mostly trying to catch up to the other riders.  My heart rate average was significantly lower than yesterday’s.

And, the Aliante didn’t move much, maybe 1/8 inch.  I’ll still ride it tomorrow, after I once again move it forward some.  I think I’m buying superglue later today to repair the old seat for the Brevet, but may order a new saddle tomorrow when I’m in the shop picking up last minute supplies.