“Ride #22: LIttle Chilly, Great Ride”

I rode Monday and Tuesday (48+ miles on Tuesday), and then planned to take Wednesday and Thursday off. Took the pads out of my helmet and asked Corinne to wash them with the laundry. Unfortunately, when I found them to put back into the helmet, they had nearly disintegrated! That's weird, the pads in my old helmet could be machine-washed.

I can't wear the helmet without the pads because the velcro hooks (which are attached to the helmet) try to drive themselves into my head. Since I also won't ride without a helmet, and it was already a bit late, I didn't get to ride Friday either (but I did make it to the bike shop before they closed, to get new pads).

So after three days off, and with a stiff breeze and temps only in the 60's, I rode 40 miles this afternoon and attacked every hill. (I'm not sure if the hills noticed.) It was great! My weight's dropping, I'm climbing the hills faster, my knee is healing, and the miles are piling up. I might actually be ready for the PMC by mid-Summer.

Stats: 39.94 miles (64.30 km) in 2h 12' 47" for an average speed of 18.04 mph (29.05 kph).