It was a little cool to start, so I wore my long sleeve jersey and light blue jacket, but was able to get away without leg warmers etc. After 25 miles or so it had warmed up sufficiently to remove the jacket and then at the turnaround point I took off the long sleeved jersey. The winds were light, slightly behind me as I rode south and then fairly neutral for the ride back. A handful of gels; four sun-rype bars; a Nesquik chocolate milk; a peanut butter sandwich; two bottles of water ... I know that I was light on the water ... but it was cool, remember ?
My legs are starting to feel some life. I've got that 300k next Saturday so they'd better, but it's on the flat too just like yesterday so it'll be similar, just longer. I'm hoping that's the case -- current forecasts have rain. Been there ... done that ... don't want to do it ... but will anyway.
So that was my day, other than dinner -- stir fried shrimp & veggies & rice.
I'm looking forward to getting fatter ... fatter tires that is. I've ordered a 28mm Specialized Armadillo Elite tire to pair with the unused 25mm that I've got on the shelf here. It should clear the brake calipers and forks but will be a pain to mount since I'll have to put the wheel on before I pump up the tire. I'm really finding a comfort difference with the 23/25 that I have on the Hummer now and am going to try 25/28 once that shipment comes in. The upcoming brevet has the 12 mile shake-and-bake segment on the Osteen road, and wider tires at lower pressures make it go much faster.
I have also ordered a set of 28mm Grande Bois tires. These are supposed to be excellent for this kind of riding, supple, less rolling resistance etc. It will be interesting to compare. The only thing that I'm worried about with those tires is the durability with all the glass on the roads around here. They'll probably be good for Italy in August and some of the brevets. I may mount the Specialized 25/28's on the Mavic Heliums for use around here and the 28 Grande Bois tires on the true rando wheels (hub generator etc.)
On the Granite Anvil gravel sections, I crawled through them with my tires but others riding 28's and 32's flew through. Of course part of my problem was worry about the rear rack slipping down since I did that ride before getting the rack mounts added to my frame. I'm working my way up in tire sizes but cannot go with those really wide tires because of my caliper brakes. I'm thinking that my next rando frame will be custom made and I'll go with cantilever brakes. Perhaps I'll use that frame builder in Guelph.
Sandy got home just after me, having been to Orlando to get her hair cut. It's not a bad cut, a little longer than usual, even color no highlights ... not the care that Al (Toronto) puts into her hair. She says that the guy is older (than us ?) and marking time. She wasn't impressed with him, but I've got no complaints !
It's early. The sky has a reddish tinge -- "red sky in morning, sailors take warning" -- is probably correct today, since we're supposed to have thunderstorms this afternoon. I'm hoping that they are much later because I'd like to get out in the boat. It's over 60F already now, better than recent history. Tomorrow's high isn't supposed to break 60, so here's hoping that today works from a boating standpoint. Yikes, the forecast for next Saturday (300k day) has dropped the rain. That would be nice.
We've heard from Bonnie in the last couple of days -- Pauline had a boy; everyone is fine; their car is in our barn; they are heading south today. They'll stop at Pam's overnight and then continue on their way to northwest Florida. We may see them if they make their expected trip to this area, we'll see.
I/we continued to pick away at Facebook yesterday, having a blast posting funny pictures of the kids. Dilbert and I are always in synch ... there was the perfect Dilbert for the Facebook age yesterday --
That's it. Onward.
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