March 2011 is in the books

This Ride: 25.9 miles
Month: 552.5 miles
2011: 1,483.7 miles
Total since 1/1/2010: 7,603.4 miles

This is my last ride for the month. I’ll take a rest day tomorrow in anticipation of the 200k on Saturday.  The forecast is for a cold rain, so it is a perfect day for a rest day.

I got out earlier so I would be sure to get enough miles in to reach my goal for the month.  It worked out.  I had about 7.5 miles in before meeting up at the Rusty Bridge.  Four of us pushed off from there and picked up two more along the first few miles.  We were grateful for 38° F and especially noted the warm pockets of air that must have been about 5 degrees warmer.  I wore one layer less than I did yesterday morning, and I was quite comfortable … if not a little warm.  I used the morning to evaluate clothing choices for the 200k, since the start temperature is supposed to be about where it was this morning.

I set an easy pace on the first half, and people were willing to ride at that pace … until the turn around.  We then picked it up and soon I had fallen behind.  I just don’t have the speed or strength that these other guys have.   They are very accommodating.

The monthly goal has been met.  I’ve ridden 775 miles more this year than the same period last year.  I’m presently 150 miles ahead of my planned pace to reach 8,000 miles by the end of the year.