I completed my first century of the new season today. The club hosted a ride which started in Jeffersonville, Indiana and made it way to Salem to the Maple Syrup festival held in this little town.

The morning started chilly and gray but the forecasters had promised a sunny, warm day so spirits were high. By the time we made our way to the first store stop doubts were being shared about the truth of the forecast. The temperatures were dropping, the skies were thick with gray clouds and it started to rain! The group continued on its way with many weary, cold faces - not many smiles to be found at this point in the ride. The roads were covered in cinders so riding was tricky at best. We had been warned to bring several spare tubes and cartridges and that did prove to be sound advice by the end of the day. By the time we made our way to the festival the sun did make an appearance, the temperatures began to climb and smiles were found on all the faces.

The ride back took its toll on tubes - one after the other blew and group found itself on the side of the road several times (I think in the end we counted 10 flats!). While changing one tire we were treated to a large flock of sandhill cranes flying over - they have a great call and heads turned toward the skies to watch them make their way north. Later in the day we were treated to two dueling red tail hawks - what a show and I wish I could have stopped and watched it play out above our heads.

This proved to be the slowest century I've ridden - not because of the terrain or weather but simply because the group as a whole was taking it easy. In the end we logged 101.9 miles and I averaged a leisurely pace of 15.0 mph. The body is tired, muscles are talking - my bruises from my encounter with cinders are speaking up from time to time and my spirits are very high. What a great day to be on my bicycle!