WINDY!

Whoa.

I have not been out in wind like that in a long, long time.

30-40 mph steady, and it was a headwind the entire first 10 miles out in the countryside.

BRUTAL.

If there was any kind of hill involved I just made it into the wind going 5 mph!

I kept telling myself not to stop, that it would pay off on the ride home.

But the noise alone knocks you down.

Plus, it's dangerous because you can not hear any traffic coming up behind you. It's just a constant howling.

I made it out to Mud Creek Road, which is the way out to the Aaron Rodgers' barn. After taking a rest at this corner, I proceeded to go to mile 14-ish before turning around.

After using up SO much into all that wind on the way out, I wasn't sure what my body would have left in it to use to get home.

So I turned around. Crosswind. And then it happened...

The first thing you notice when you start heading back in the opposite direction is the sweet, peaceful quite. It's instantaneous as soon as you turn. So calming.

The next thing you notice is the warmth. And I mean warmth. Now without the headwind you could tell things had changed since the start of the ride.

In fact, get this.

When I started the ride (30 miles) it was 63 degrees When I finished it was 84!

On mile 24 I was stung by a bee that hit me in the lower lip. You know that feeling right away. It's just lucky I didn't swallow the damn thing! Onward.

I think I judged the effort just about right because my left quad was starting to bark, like it wanted to cramp up in the final couple of miles. I had had just enough for the day. And I am sure my skin got a layer of a little sunburn today. I'd say 'knees in the breeze, but that was no breeze. That was like a hurricane at times.

So mission accomplished today I would say.

Bring on supper!

2021 OUTDOOR RIDES RIDE ROUTE-- Mud Creek MILES-- 30 AVE. SPEED-- 12.5 WEATHER-- WINDY! 30-40 mph, 63 to 84 degrees and sunshine TOTAL OUTDOOR MILES 2021 SEASON-- 391.0