July Rides

[Crankin]

Today's ride was wonderful. Not as long, but beautiful. We rode out of the inn, into Sheffield, through just outstanding rural neighborhoods, farms, and forest. It was all slightly rolling, with one big climb, which I had done before. It seemed harder than I remember, or maybe I am just getting old? Well, there were some spots where it flattened, I was able to recover, and slowly spin to the top in my granniest of gear. AZ Fiddle, no amount of intervals would increase my speed on these kinds of climbs; it's just too painful, I'd rather just be able to get to the top. And today, I had a moment of wavering, when I reminded myself it's a head game. Without DH to talk me up the climb, I get lazy. Well, I've felt pretty strong at home, so I guess I don't care. After the climb, we descended into Salisbury, CT for more ups and downs, until we got back to a road that connects to the one our in. Is on. With 9.5 miles left, Brant took off and I was alone to tackle some relentless small hills on a busier road.
Good ride in cooler weather. 28 miles with about 1900 ft of climbing.

[Catrin]

Sounds like good rides all around! I found myself waxing nostalgic this morning on my way to my usual Sat morning competition training session. Most of my route is actually an old route that I used to ride all of the time. Indeed it feels odd DRIVING that route I could remember the level of effort THIS hill took or THAT section of rough rode. It was a good kind of nostalgia however, for which I am thankful.