I got out yesterday for a 27 mile ride - took a long bath afterwards, but my back had been hurting before I went out. I can't say I was fast, but. I went! It's probably my 3rd real road ride of the year (I've taken my surly back and forth to downtown to go to the library or things like that, but not just for a pleasure ride)

Cars in the last week have been especially attentive and pleasant - I did have one set of teenagers swerve at me and shout something out the window right by my head, while eagerly looking in their rear mirrors to see if I crashed (how is that funny?). But I just ignored them - All the other cars have pretty much crossed over to the other side of the road to pass me and if they couldn't - just set behind me patiently till I motioned for them to go ahead and pass me in a clear spot. They've also been motioning for me to go on ahead first at stop signs. So that's been nice.

A couple of times when I've been stopped for "rests" after a set of uphills, I've had drivers stop to ask if my bike was okay - standard answer, bike's great. The motor's just out of shape.


Yesterday, I rode over a bridge with stone (?) sides and as I went over, there was bawking/gobbling/something beside me and there were 2 guinea fowl (?) on the bridge sides complaining at my presence. It was odd enough, and I was out of shape enough that I stopped to get their picture.