“Ride #87: Hello, Rrrrabbit!”

Have I mentioned that I'm not used to riding in the cold yet? I'm not, and today was my coldest day yet.

Still, I was feeling pretty good, and fast. When I stopped briefly at Mystic Cycle to pick up a single Gu (the ride was turning out to be much longer than I had planned) my average speed was 20.5. That's after about 22 miles.

Continued up Rt 1, made a left onto Pequot Trail and rode to the top of the hill, then turned around and went back again, onto Rt 1, through Mystic to River Road to Rt 184 to home.

I hadn't seen a single rider all day, until about 30 miles in. He was about 3/4 mile ahead of me, and immediately became my rabbit. I chased him down after about two miles, and was pleased to find that I knew him. Two years ago, we'd hooked up when our training rides happened to overlap in time and space just one time. He wasn't sure I really remembered him until I said that he told me -- two years ago -- that his girlfriend was a triathlete and he was mainly riding to get in shape so he could keep up with her.

Sick, isn't it? I can't remember why I stood up from my desk and walked into the next room after just fifteen seconds, but I have no problem with personal details told to me by strangers, even years later. I've always been that way.

Stats: 39.44 miles (63.49 km) in 1h 57' 43" for an average speed of 20.10 mph (32.36 kph).