Jan 18 - another one on the books

I left here at 3:30 a.m. and arrived in Jupiter at 6:15.  Even with upwards of 90 riders, John was well organized and I got checked-in and went back to the car to organize my bike.

We started rolling promptly at 7am.  It was cold and windy -- colder than I had expected based on the forecast and windier.  That wind was supposed to be mostly from the West early on but was indeed from the North.

I dropped out of a big group fairly soon, as usual, and was riding on my own.  12-14 mph was about all I could do into a strong headwind.  That faster group was only doing 15-17.  About 20 miles from the 65 mile turnaround I did pick up a half-dozen other riders who drafted behind me for a while and then we took turns.  That eased the wind burden considerably.

Now with a tail-wind, it was easier going but my legs were pretty well wiped out so instead of pressing hard at 20+ on the way back, it was more like 18.  That was ok though.  As usual, groups passed me and then I caught them at the Controls and then they passed me later.

I finished up around 3:45, reasonably happy with my ride.  It was a little warmer on the way back, with the wind, but the long sleeved jersey never came off.

Before I hit the road, I called my Aunt Ruth to see if she was in town.  She was, so I said that I'd come to visit.  It took me longer to get there than I'd expected (told her 10 minutes, it was more like 25) but we had a good visit and then I was rolling again.  She was due to go out so I couldn't stay long anyway.

Back home at 7:45, Sandy already had the grill hot and we had steak.  They were Publix "Greenwise" rib steaks and were probably the worst steaks that we'd ever had.  Tough, tasteless and 50% waste -- what more can I say ?  Well, that's the last time we buy their Greenwise steaks !  Sandy buys that version of chicken because it's organic or almost-so. 

Another long day was done.

Today ... Mass ... no plans beyond that.  The backyard thermometer says 30F and the internet says 34 ... 34 is probably more accurate.

Onward !