Without much on my schedule for the day, and in anticipation of winter coming and the end of riding outdoors for a while, I decided to go out for a long solo ride. I left home at 8:30am into a rather cold (48F) Chicago morning. It took me a while to warm up, and I started thinking that the whole idea of a long ride was a bit crazy. After about 12mi or so, I was feeling better. My planned route was a nice 50 mile out and back (one that I generally enjoy doing on weekends), then passing my apt building before heading into an additional 25mi route that I usually do during the week. I decided that if I wasn't feeling it, I would just bail after 50. But by then I was feeling good and kept going. I stopped for a minute to stretch and grab a snack and notice that my calves were a bit tight and I started to worry that I would cramp up before getting home, but took the chance and kept going. The last 25 miles ended up feeling great. It made me think back to the beginning of this summer (when I was dreadfully out of shape) when I did that route (just the 25mi) and it nearly killed me. Today, I tacked it on the end of a long ride, and felt great!!!
When I returned home at 2:30pm I was tired and hungry but proud of myself for doing a 75mi solo ride!! The only longer ride I have ever done was a supported ride along with friends.