Ive been having a bit of knee trouble for the last couple of months and hills definitely make it worse, so my husband suggested I do a ride down at the Airforce Base (this wouldnt be ideal in Australia as our bases are small but American bases are big so no worries getting in the mileage).

I headed out early and parked my car near the Base Exchange (like a small department store) as they have toilets so I thought this would be a good place to take my rest stops (esky is full of yummy stuff and cold water in the car). I got there around 6.30 am and realize nothing opens on Sunday until 10am...oops here comes a lesson in bladder control.

My husband warned me that they had been seeing plenty of snakes around the base and lots out on the road so I kept scanning the road ahead. Sure enough about 30 mins into the ride I pass a baby rattle snake making his way across the road. Later in the ride I see another. Lucky for me they are already towards the middle of the road so I pass without upsetting them or me.

I dont see another cyclist until the 90 km mark and he passes me effortlessly on his Litespeed. I take comfort in the thought that perhaps he has just started his ride unlike me.

As I see the other rider disappear over the horizon I notice a strange looking animal running along the road up ahead. Its not a squirrel as it has no tail.
Its going hell for leather to get away from me but stays on the road. Im trying to speed up so maybe I can get a few more details and identify it when I get home. The race continues until it sees some long grass and off the road it goes. I still have no idea what it was but it was small, fury, fast and sort of solid looking.

On consulting my computer at the end of the ride Im shocked to see that my average speed is up by 2kms, my fastest ride to date and also my longest.
I completed 75 miles in 5:07:12 - not fast I know but a good confidence boost for me.