Longest of the year
Despite pretty nice weather over the weekend, I did not get a ride in. On Saturday we took a road trip and spent the day hopping from one garden center to another in the Waupaca area. On Sunday I spent the day working on the yard and in the gardens with Sandy, knowing full well that Monday would be all about riding. Monday would be MY day out on the road.
The forecast; Sunny and hot....near 90.
Count me in!
As you can see, the weather did not disappoint.
Indeed, sunshine and 87 degrees greeted me as I set out on what would turn out to be a record for longest ride of the season at 40.3 miles under that hot sun today.
It felt glorious.
I rode out to High Cliff State Park without using much effort at all. Still, I struggled at times going up. I can not seem to ride out of the saddle on that final steep section for more than 10-15 seconds before my quads feel like they are are going to burn off, and I have to sit back down somewhat gassed from the effort and gasping for air to the crest.
Still, it is always nice to know you made the effort and have the climb portion behind you, even if it was less than graceful getting up that thing.
After a little break up there where the view never gets old, it was back down, this time at speed. Then instead of just going back I extended the ride on Manitowoc Road out to where it dead ends at Military. Then it was Schmidt Road back into some wind completing the big rectangle. I saw no less than 15 bike riders out there along with me today.
I did two laps of my neighborhood crit course once home just so that I could not only have the longest ride of the season but also hit the 40-mile mark as well.
The bike performed flawlessly today. I consumed two Hammer Gels on the ride home to make sure there was no bonk under the hot sun. Good plan. There was not.
I actually was still enjoying the ride right up until the end. I really do come alive in these hot conditions. But now we have three days of rain coming, the aftermath of a hurricane. So no riding in store. (unless of course they're wrong about that!)
That fact made me want to take FULL advantage of the conditions today.
And at 40 miles, I believe that is a mission accomplished.
RIDE ROUTE
High Cliff Climb, + The Rectangle + 2 laps neighborhood crit
40.3 miles/12.4 average mph
Sunny and hot, 87, Wind 10-12 mph
2020 SEASON MILES
Indoor: 125.6
Outdoor: 673.5