First Ride of THE YEAR - Sarasota
Plane arrived at 1:06, had lunch at picked up the bike at Ryder Bikes in Downtown Sarasota. Weather was 58 and windy.
Seat rail bent in transit- cha ching! - $168.
Changing clothes - cha ching! - Brand new contact lense ripped!
Ready to ride - helmet bracket broken - cha ching! - $178.
But, I'm about to ride!
So, I set out - You could tell me from locals (coat bound and shivering):eek: from me (the midwesterner in short sleeve jersey and no leggings):D
I set out!
Route from Sarasota to the northend of Long Boat Key (today I'll go to the tip of Anna Maria).
http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/...3/LongBoat.png
The wind was about 12 from the north...and this was tough due to my lack of miles in '10. But, today, my knees feel fine :cool:
At the northend of Long Boat Key:
http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/...3/IMG_0102.jpg
Along Long Boat Key, the beach was lush (I left snow covered fields behind!)
http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/...3/IMG_0101.jpg
I stopped on the draw bridge and a walker said "this will be an awesome sunset tonight"...
http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/...3/IMG_0103.jpg
...and it was (as seen from Bird Key at the inlaws house)
http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/...3/IMG_0099.jpg
My first metric in a year!
Today, my ride was awesome! 62.15 miles at 18.7mph with no assistance from the wind! I don't know if I like these lowlands. At least with our hills in Bloomington, you get some occasional moving rest...here, you're like the energizer bunny!
The route was both very dense urban and very rural farms.
http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/...3/dd14e98c.jpg
Horses and cows:
http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/...3/032727da.jpg
Citrus Groves:
http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/...3/7448f7ad.jpg
I met a Brit at mile 27 that rode and conversed With me for 8 miles. After he split off on his route, I came upon this canopy of live oaks with wild turkeys high in the trees! What a surprise!:cool::D
http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/...3/027d13d5.jpg
After only 870 miles last year, I got off to a good start on '11 with 205 miles in six rides this week! With today's pace, I'm confident that this will be a great year! After a tough year, I'M BACK!:D