Hang on Tight, She's Packin' Wind

Ride Stats

• Distance:53.56


• Time:3:05:45


• Avg. Speed17.3 mph


• Max. Speed47.1 mph


• Climbing:4580 feet


• Avg. HR:144 bpm


• Energy:2224 cal


• Distance 2007:488.4

47°

High: 49° Low: 45°

My IE

47°

High: 49° Low: 45°

Bright and sunny all day so I took my time getting ready catching up on some things at work and around the house. Within 10 minutes of leaving the apartment I was confronted by some of the ugliest clouds this side of Kansas. Luckily a twister didn’t suck me up but the wind was brutal. I took this photo on the sun/storm cusp just to prove my rotten luck and to remind myself that procrastination leaves you vulnerable to Mother Nature's fury. 26 continuous miles directly into a sustained 30mph headwind makes for a tough ride across very hilly terrain.

I finally reached the half way point and started to return home. With the wind at my back I was able to hit 47.1 mph down a very gentle roller (I wouldn't even consider it a hill). I was lamenting the entire way home because of my 12-25 gearing. I recently "upgraded"(?) to 10 speed and I forgot to ask the shop to order me an 11 tooth gear. A 12 tooth is extremely boring for downhills and even an 11 gets maxed out often on my route.

I was shrouded in dark clouds and tossed around by blustery winds the entire 3 hours. Ironically, the sun reappeared as soon as I made my final turn.