“Ride #91: Solo, and So Low!”

I planned to leave early for the half century today. As we're at the end of the "season" for these rides (because they go so late, it's getting dark), I knew there was a good chance I'd be riding alone. However, Corinne needed my help around the house because people were coming to pick up kittens (yay!), so I didn't leave until 4:45. That put me in Mystic at 5:00... and the bridge was up! That was very strange, the bridge goes up at a quarter of every hour, so it was up really late. I waited. And waited. And waited. Finally, I just gave up and started the ride, solo, from downtown instead of going the extra mile to Mystic Cycle.

From there, the ride was pretty standard. I felt good, but I'm always faster when I have someone else to work with. Most of us are that way... cycling is a head game, it's psychological as much as physiological. I will note, though, that Cossaduck Hill didn't hurt nearly as much today as it normally does. I stood up for the whole length, and actually attacked for the final third so I was moving pretty quick (relatively speaking) when I crested. Wanted to die for the next thirty seconds while i thought my heart was going to explode with a bang, but I recovered quickly.

As I climbed the last hill on Wyassup Road, I saw another rider coming toward me. I didn't recognize him until he yelled, "You have to go faster, Seth!" It was Graham. He was commuting home: it's funny to think that the price of gasoline would keep him from doing a bike ride, but since he is riding his bike to work there's really no way he could work it out. (He lives near the farthest point on this ride.)

The steepest hill in the area (and the steepest I've ever climbed) is Town Farm Road. I tucked my shades into one of my jersey's pockets just before the climb: the sun was behind the hill, and I sweat more climbing the big hills and didn't want to get drops all over the lenses. But... nuts! Half way up the hill, the shades fell out of the pocket and into someone's driveway! OH NO!!

I had no choice but to stop and pick them up. I tried to start up the hill again, but it's just too steep. Even in the easiest gear, I just couldn't keep moving long enough to get both feet clicked into the cleats. I could either walk up the hill, or ride back down again and start over. I opted to start over.

It was 7:15 when I reached 184. Turn right to head home, or continue straight and get on River Road to climb Oral School Road and Clift Street? Really no decision to make, as it was already getting dark. I headed home.

Next Thursday will be a day off (as Friday is my annual solo century) -- or at most a micro-ride to keep me limber -- so in two weeks I need to remember to leave by 4:30 if I want to do the whole thing.

Stats: 49.11 miles (79.06 km) in 2h 37' 55" for an average speed of 18.65 mph (30.04 kph).

One final, VERY NICE stat to explain the title of this post: my weight is down to 245 pounds. That's the lowest it's been since Corinne and I married in 1997. My goal for the year is 240 pounds, which finally seems to be within reach.