That is not to say I'm not enjoying the ride for the first 30 miles, just that a certain enthusiasm might be lacking.
I had hoped to get in 50 miles today. Some circumstances along the way kept cutting into that total starting with a phone call from a reporter who is doing a profile on Carol. Of course I had to take that call.
I also seemed to be in the mood for stopping and taking pictures, particularly macro shots which are much more time consuming than straight shots.
I parked at the Old Missouri Rd trailhead and thought of working my way north on the trail and then back south and perhaps down Hwy 71.
But the rains came much sooner than I thought they would and also much heavier. I stopped to don some rain gear and that was another bite out of the mileage. Riding in the rain was also a slowing factor and, with it raining, I decided to stick to the trail and give up any notions of riding on the surface roads. That was all right as I was enjoying my back and forth on the trail.
By 3:00, with only 20 miles under my belt and a bit over two hours of daylight left, I set my sights on trying to get in 40 miles. But, I was beginning to get chilled from having been thoroughly doused in a brief downpour. Riding two more hours wet and chilled did not bode well as Mr. Rogers would have been asking the question at the end of that time, "Boys and girls. Do you know how spell hypothermia?" A pit stop was in order and I pulled into Panera's, had a cup of coffee and put on the leg and arm warmers I had brought. I felt much better almost immediately.
With more time eaten from the pit stop, I wasn't sure if I would even get 35 miles in. But, by the time I ran into Dorothy on the Lake Fayetteville Dam about 30 minutes later, I was ripe for riding and ready to go.
Of course, time was still an issue.
Another slowing factor was the car below.
I saw this town car pull into the parking lot and it immediately looked a bit suspicious to me with its very heavy rear-end. When I circled around and saw that it did not have a license plate, that aroused more suspicion. And, the driver never got out but rather took a nap. This was all very interesting and I couldn't resist sticking to the area, riding about a half mile away and circling back to see if the driver was going to rendezvous with someone. This might have decreased the miles I could have covered but I was enjoying the mystery too much. Eventually, he woke up, eyed me warily as I rode by and then the driver slowly made his way out of the parking lot. All very curious.
Darkness was falling but I was eager to squeeze out as many miles as I could and envisioned squeezing a honey dew melon to extract as much light as possible. I ended up with 45 miles, a good compromise, I figured.
Today's Ride: 4hrs. 7mins. 45.15 miles. 67°-60° Winds calm. Miles YTD: 8,949.59
Number of miles per day needed to reach 10,000 miles by the end of the year: 22.84
Donations for Biking for Food, which support the Community Meals at St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Fayetteville, AR, can be sent to: Biking for Food, St Paul’s Episcopal Church, 224 N. East Ave., Fayetteville, AR 72701
Or, make a pledge per bike miles ridden at www.stpaulsfay.org/bikingforfood.html.
To see older postings, search the Archives listed on the right had panel.
To see postings before 15 August 2011, please go to www.mylifeasabike2.blogspot.com
To see postings before 11 June 2011, please go to www.mylifeasabike.blogspot.com
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