I Gave Up Waiting and Rode the Trails
I tried to be optimistic about the weather today but it was tough. The weatherman forecast 70+ degrees but by 12:30 it was only 67Â and overcast. I was out on a errand earlier and wanted to ride my MTB on the trails. I made up my mind to get dressed and ride on the trails even with it being cooler than I was expecting.
Leaving home at 12:39 I thought on how to vary the route some. I changed a few sections but mainly I was on the trails I usually ride. The ride ended up at 17.83 miles long. Since I was on my MTB the average speed was way below the road bike level at 12.4 mph. Riding the trails is not a fast type of ride. The turns and bends with some stops to get across streets slow me down plus I am not in such a hurry.
Deciding on an appropriate wardrobe took some effort. It was cool enough for long sleeve jersey and windbreaker but which one. I chose a heavier long sleeve jersey and a jacket that does not have any venting. As I rode I could feel the sweat building up and at one point I stopped to answer my phone. Pulling the phone out of my rear pocket it was coated in moisture (outside of the plastic bag) and I wiped it on my leg warmer. Granted the screen was facing my back and not the jacket which probably caused the buildup. By the time I finished at 2:10 my gloves were damp around the top. I should have used the vented jacket. I was warm though throughout the ride after the first 15 minutes or so.
Being fall the trails were covered in leaves except for a few places. Near the end I paused to allow a Gator with a leave blower come around a corner. That trail was almost leaf free to the next intersection.
Now that December arrived I am getting close to my year goal of 6500 miles. With today’s ride I am at 6414 miles, 86 miles to go. The December weather can be all over the place so I will need to ride whenever the opportunity arrives.
Today’s ride is the 9th time on my MTB this year. I rode 178 times on my road bikes this year.
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