A Day Makes a Difference

I’m constantly intrigued at the difference subtle changes can make on speed, comfort, and stamina on a bicycle.  That’s not saying that I have it figured out.  It is to say that the differences day to day are noticeable and what happens one day on the bike is not a strong predictor of the next.

This morning we had a large group out, with some of us determined to go fast and some, like me, determined to have a good morning ride … quick but not record-breaking.  The division happened around Robinson Road.  Eventually, as it all got resolved, there were 4 -5 of us in the slower group.  We kept notching up the pace on the last part of the southern trail and were pretty steady at 23+ mph.  Our return was more comfortable on the trail, but once we hit B&A Blvd, Bryan stepped it up.  I never let him get more than 12 inches ahead of me.

As the ride ended, I had averaged 17.9 mph and had a few top 10 segments on Strava.  I didn’t expect that.  It felt good.  The legs feel as though they have accomplished something and the fatigue in them feels good.

We encountered some light sprinkles in the last 2/3 of the ride.  It was enough to dampen the pavement and to have us exercising caution on the painted road surfaces.

Wildlife encountered: One bunny (The one I encounter often.  This one likes to make a route on the trail described as the belly of the capital “D”.  It is always in the same place.), and one little yappy dog on one of those retractable leashes.  The woman walking the dog let the dog go across the trail to sniff a post, and when I called out that I was approaching to pass, she locked the leash and drug that poor little dog across the trail, its claws frantically trying to find purchase on the asphalt to keep from being dragged by the neck.  Had the woman taken two steps forward, I could have passed behind her and everything would have been fine.  As it was, I still was on the grass to avoid the poor creature.

It was a good ride.

This Ride: 22.7 miles
Month: 22.7 miles
2012: 3,385.5 miles
Total since 1/1/2010: 17,239.2 miles