18 September 2011 Ride: Running on all 27 Cylinders

8 1/2 hours.  That's how much I slept last night without any sleep aids.  I'm not sure I even slept that long after the 24 hour ride.  The body is certainly weary.  No doubt about it, the new goals on top of still recovering from the 24er, boils or whatever and all, certainly are testing the limits.  But, that is what challenges are all about; if they were easy, what would be the point?  It is an interesting challenge right now to regroup after the 24er while at the same time carrying on with the daily ride AND prepare for the Shreveport ride this Saturday.  I am very much looking forward to the Shreveport trip.  Once on the road, I'll just have biking to focus on (and the blog in the evening).

The first thing I did this morning was check the weather.  Lo and behold, contrary to yesterday when there was a 40-50% chance of thunderstorms all day, the morning looked good, at least until 9:30.  So, I moved into gearing-up mode, drinking a whey protein shake, eating nuts and fruit while getting dressed.  Out of the door by 7:45.  With any luck, the forecast would be wrong in my favor and I could get in some extra dry miles.

It was my first time out on the bike with the new crank set.  What a difference.  I had gotten so used to riding with the old worn parts that I had forgotten what a good set felt like. 

Lots of activity in the sky: patches of blue, strata clouds with swirls, strata cummulous, curtains of of rain hanging down in the west and north.  It was the type of sky where rain could suddenly blow in at any moment.  It was also the type of sky, where things could easily hold.

Being a Sunday, I rode out Hwy 45, the pavement damp but not overly wet.  Cars were being very respectful, giving me lots of room when they passed which always is comforting and sets the tone for a good ride. 

There seemed to be quite a bit of traffic for a Sunday morning with most headed east: to the Buffalo River for canoeing?  I kept eyeing the sky, watching the nature of the clouds change but still nothing very threatening appeared anywhere on the horizon.  I rode out a ways and then made my way back.  The strata clouds were thickening and, way off in the northwest, a mass of tall cummulous clouds were assembling: the portend to the thunderstorms in the forecast? 

Hwy 303, just north of Hwy 45.

I was enjoying being out on the open road, something I don't think I've had a chance to do since the 24 hour ride when I rode down to Winslow.  With the Shreveport ride coming up, I really wanted to get in at least 30 miles.  I was far enough along into the ride that even if the rain did come I knew I would keep riding.  But, I was surprised how fatigued I was feeling after only 20 - 25 miles. 

Mile 30 came and, with the rains still holding, I went for 35.  And, at 35, what the heck, only a couple of more minutes till 3 full hours of riding, so I threw that in as well.  Home dry.  Thunder in the distance, but still nothing.

And, as a bonus, I hit 6,500 miles today as well as getting in 174 miles for the week, 6 more than the 168 needed to stay on track for 9,000 for the year.

Today's Ride: 3hrs 1min.  35.70 miles 60 degrees. Miles YTD:  6,509.68

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