Swimming in a sea of pollen

This Ride: 22.1 miles
Month: 413.9 miles
2011: 1,897.6 miles
Total since 1/1/2010: 8,017.3 miles

Pushing off from home at about 5:20 am, there was a pretty strong northerly wind and fine particles reflecting back in my headlight. Glancing around to my once black car, I noticed the green dusting from the oak pollen and realized that we have now entered the two week period of time in Maryland where the oak pollen is thick … on surfaces and the air. It is a sure sign that spring has fully arrived.

My ride started with a headache this morning.  That disappeared by mile 10.  Four of us started at the Rusty Bridge and soon were joined by two others … and later by Dan.  Where he joined, I don’t really know, because Mike C. and I were dropped on the hill in Round Bay and never got even close to getting back with the main group for the rest of the ride.  With the very strong northerly wind, our trip south on the trail was fast and fun.  Our return trip consisted of putting our heads down and peddling hard into the gale.  We both took some time on the front.  Gusts at times surprised us.  It was a good morning to be out, with a very pretty sunrise.

I’m clearly experiencing the struggle of cycling while on a calorie restricted diet.  I forgot to consume some calories before I pushed off this morning, and I felt it.  Slow speeds and high heart rates are the tell tale sign that my body is trying to find a way to fuel the effort.

Just as I was coming off the trail to do the last bit home, I met Mike B. on his commute to work.  He seemed in great spirits and stopped for a brief chat.  He had a full ride into the headwind this morning, and has ridden 21 consecutive days this month, part of a 30 Days of Cycling Challenge.  That’s a whole lot better than my disappointing 11 days thus far in April.  No wonder my mileage for the month is so low!  My goal is still 236 miles away with 9 days left in the month.

I passed the 8,000 mile mark (January 1, 2010 – present) this morning.  Only 16,884 more and I will have circled the globe.