We were supposed to lead a ride today and only one person signed up, so I cancelled it. This is weird, for this time of year.
So, we headed out with our friends to do another ride. It used to be 27 miles, but from their house it was just shy of 39. Weather was not too warm (74-80), but very humid and windy at times. The beginning of the ride is pretty, takes us through my old neighborhood and my first commute to work, into Stow and Bolton, and then into Hudson where there is a good hill up and down on a main road that is in crappy condition. I haven't been on this road in a long time, maybe 3 years. Once we get past there, we get into a more rural area again, another nice hill, and stop at the Old Grist Mill by Longfellow's Wayside Inn in Sudbury. I have many happy childhood memories of this place, as we used to go here on "Sunday drives" with my grandparents. We had a snack and watched some newlyweds get pictures taken in front of the mill.
The rest of the ride takes us through a nature preserve area by a lake, apple orchards, and a pretty tough climb that I haven't done in awhile. We ride up to the orchard on other rides, but usually take a different, and shorter climb to get back. Anyway, once we got within 7 miles of being back to our friend's house, I had to stop and eat a Shot Block. I felt horrible during almost the whole ride, due to allergies and asthma a little bit. This has been bugging me ever since I recovered from that sinus infection a couple of weeks ago. Thankfully, that cold front is coming through tonight and should sweep out all of the allergens. I feel much better after eating lunch, though.