Earlier in the week I decided to take today off from work. The weather looked like it would be okay if I went riding in the morning and got back by noon time. There was a chance of rain in the late afternoon to early evening. I left home at 9:09 and got back at 12:22. Clouds had formed but the rain was not in sight. As I write this at 5:10 PM no rain has materialized yet though the clouds have rolled in. Today’s route includes a loop through Roman Forest. I used to go this direction all the time but I had dropped this loop when road construction was in the area. Now that the construction has moved further north I can spend some time on this route. In my absence a number of new homes have sprouted up. Azaleas are in full bloom. The bright pink blooms fill many people’s front yard flower gardens. I should have taken my camera.

Temperature was around 70 degrees but there was a stiff SSE wind at 15 mph which made the return home an effort. My conditioning still has way to go. At my one rest stop I talked to a person I know who had not seen my Mercier Serpens bike. He thought it was very light. He was impressed with the amount of carbon fiber. In years gone he had rode in a number of bike rides. He did the HHH one year and the Alamo Challenge.

Today’s ride statistics:

• miles = 40.11
• riding time = 2:46:50
• average pace = 4:10 min/mile
• average speed = 14.4, max speed = 19.6
• average cadence = 75 rpm
• max cadence = 104 rpm
• climb 350 ft, descend 407 ft.
• YTD miles = 926.86

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