I had a 20 mile ride in a local park - and I saw a deer again! This is 5 rides in a row now that I've had a deer sighting - and that counts rides outside of the park.

One thing did get a little frustrating, though it was only due to the fact that there were a LOT of people in the park on a Sunday evening and I am not used to that. Large crowds of people blocking the road as the visit with each other and not wanting to clear a path for me - or looking at me oddly when I ask them to let me through. Then there were the walkers with those itsy-bitsy dogs and REALLY LONG leashes that go all the way across the street.... However no problem in the end, so I am happy.

I tried to focus on things other than speed - this being the first time that I've ridden in temps higher than 73... but was happy to note that my shifting seems to be getting much smoother - and I also practiced taking my left hand off the bar. I have to be very intentional about it and think my way through it before I do it - but it is getting easier. We are not worried about the right hand, yet