Had a great ride today, ended up with 37.99 miles! Too bad I couldn't eek out that .01 for an even 38, but I ended on my very steep, very gravel driveway, and I just couldn't go another 10th! Still, it was my longest ride of the year and longer than anything I did in 2008.

Rode with DH to the post office, farmer's market, and food co-op for some great organic produce, which he carried in his panniers. We took a very long way home to get in the mileage we wanted and had a blast.

Low point: Two stealthy and very persistent dogs chased us for quite awhile in farm country, and they were FAST. I had to sound my air horn quite a few times which startled them slightly but didn't stop them. DH, who was a bit behind me, finally nailed both of 'em with Halt, and they gave up. I know some don't agree with using pepper spray on dogs, but after fracturing my pelvis in a dog-induced accident in '05, I (and DH) do whatever it takes to avoid a repeat performance. There are rather a lot of loose dogs in the rural south.

Highlight of the ride: We're riding pretty fast for us (18 mph) with me tucked in behind DH on a long, flat stretch of road. He has four panniers, and I have a rear rack and rack pack. We're riding Bike Fridays with Halt on the handlebars and kickstands. Total fred. A fast roadie on his tricked out bike that couldn't have weighed more than 16 lbs. approached us from the rear, and when he pulled up beside us, he asked if we were training for some big tour. He said "ya'll are awesome" before he rode off. Sweet!