300 km in the books

The weather was nice, but it was a tough day. I'm not usually hung up on times, but yesterday I resolved to finish in daylight despite the 7:00 am start and to minimize time off the bike. Nearly made it on both counts. I had to hit the lights and don my reflective vest about five miles from the finish. And the computer showed about an hour and 20 minutes off the bike. Grrr, where does the time go? It was like I sat down for for a leisurely lunch. Though I suffered a bit, it was a chance to see how I could do solo.

Not too poorly I suppose. I finished in 12:57. My energy tanked a little over the last 40 miles when my average speed dropped off from 16 mph to 14 mph. It wasn't the bonk - just fatigue. And as I closed in on a 13-hour finishing time (remember, I'm not hung up on times!) I positively sprinted through downtown Edwardsville. So it was a little excitement at the end of the day which made me feel every bit the time-trialist Boz is!

Two hundred kilometers, one gear

Bob and I completed the first Brevet of the season yesterday in smart order. The fixed-gear performed flawlessly and the ride went pretty well for my first ride over 40 miles since last October. Who knows maybe I'll try the 300km on old blue.
Yesterday's pace was leisurely because of the fierce winds. I've done the calculations, but it seems the best wind is little or no wind. Yesterday featured a crosswind all day long and temps in the low 40's... and rain. A perfect Randoneurring debut for Bob; if yesterday didn't scare him away, nothing will.
This is a shot from last year's event. We had to take a different route from the one represented here because of flooding in the low lying areas. But that was okay because it meant most of the farm dogs were stranded on the roofs of their dog houses and could only bark as we paraded by.

Brew-to-Brew

Brew-to-Brew 2008 is in the books. It wasn't too bad; I had a low patch from miles 25 to 30, but after that it was mostly smooth sailing. Thanks to Stephen for keeping us going in westward direction and to the race organization and the KC Trail Nerds and their terrific aid station that propelled us through leg 10 much faster than last year.

Today I rode a spinning cycle at the YMCA for an hour to loosen up my legs. I can't wait until Saturday and the first Brevet; hopefully the weather will cooperate