Susan, 44 miles is a great ride, and will strengthen you in your training probably just as much as the ride you had hoped to do.

DH and I had a really nice 20 mile ride after breakfast this morning- it's my "new" favorite route now. Lots of variety and rolling terrain. I felt good all over.

I gave my bike a pretty thorough cleaning afterwards, as I had let road spray and mud accumulate for the past 3 weeks or so. Scrubbed all the gears and chain too, and lubed everything up. Looks so PURDY now.