Today I did an unsupported solo metric. Well, almost - I went 59 miles. I decided I needed a break and some flatter terrain and kinder pavement and actually drove 35 minutes east to the flatter terrain. I rarely drive to ride, maybe 2-3 times a year, and now I remember why. It used to be I despised going points east of 495 because the residential population density as well as the traffic increases by orders of magnitude. Now I have this feeling going east of 190.

Anyhow, it was a gorgeous day. Last weekend I got whupped by the heat, did not have electrolytes with me, food that didn't agree with me, and subsequently faded quickly. I think I had a bit of a stomach bug through the week as well. I woke up this morning feeling crappy and with pretty low energy but wanted to put in some miles and did not want to let this gorgeous, precious, entirely free day for riding go by the wayside. I wanted kinder terrain as I didn't know how I'd feel and my stomach was still bothering me. Well, I had a great ride. You know, no land records set but happy and comfortable and worked out the stomach bug I think. I brought plenty of electrolytes and better digestable food. My route started in Lancaster, then went up to Lunenburg, over to Shirley, Townsend, Groton, Ayer, into Harvard and threw in the Fruitlands for old times sake. I used to go birding at the Oxbow Wildlife Refuge and Bolton Flats almost every weekend when I lived out that way so it was fun to ride by those places. Continued from Harvard to Bolton, Clinton and back to Lancaster. A very good day.