23rd ride

I did not ride the last two days, due to cold and ferociously windy weather. Thus well rested, I did my longest ride to date this morning, setting out at 6:45 (the time of sunrise - I checked) to go a 14.5-mile route I call the Saline Loop. I never ran it before arthritis forced me to stop running, though I wanted to. But I did run a good chunk of it (almost half) on Saturday, August 28, 2010, going 6 miles to the home of good friends (Bryce and Josie Babcock) in Saline, but then wimping out and accepting a ride back from Bryce rather than running the round trip.

This morning was cool (31 degrees when I began) and crisp, with early morning sunshine proving a blessing. I was glad to have all my safety features - the flashing taillight on the bike, my reflective harness, and my helmet, and Road ID bracelet, as well as my cell phone. It was exciting, as I pushed on beyond roads I have ridden before and into new areas. But I have in mind significantly longer rides for the future, including a 25-mile fundraising ride for Dawn Farms next Sunday, April 28. This summer I hope to ride to my mother's home some Saturday morning (a little over 50 miles), and some Saturday in the fall I want to ride to my in-laws -- a little over 70 miles. But I'll just keep gradually building, and it seems to me these goals should be feasible.