In return for a Saturday in the office that started at 10:00 AM and went until 5:00 AM Sunday, I took a “comp day” yesterday. Did I take the day to sit around and relax? Not so much… 
All in all, it was a fairly uneventful ride. NC98 is a fairly nice road, with only a few busy sections, mostly at interchanges with larger roads. The heaviest traffic I experienced was all within 5 miles of home. :/ Dealing with Roxboro Rd at commute time is a giant pain in the neck.
The “bubbles” in what was supposed to be an out-and-back ride (at around 7, 65, and 81 miles) are where I “unintentionally took an alternate route”. Okay… I missed a turn and found myself lost. Special thanks to Duke OIT, without whose Blackberry (with mobile Google Maps installed) I’d never get to where I want to go.
Some thoughts:
- I’ve got to get lip balm and sunscreen into my bike bag. My lips are fine now, but I’ve got a pink nose and “cheek triangles” (from where the helmet straps weren’t).
- If I’m ever going south of my home on another ride (which I most certainly will be), I must leave earlier to avoid that crazy Roxboro Rd morning rush.
- “Eating” an energy gel is akin to eating toothpaste, save that toothpaste doesn’t leave your fingers feeling sticky afterward. I think I’ll stick to bars, thanks.
- A fried pork chop sandwich, while very tasty, may not be the best mid-century-ride lunch fare.
- I can’t wait until the weather is such that I don’t have to have three layers to get through a day-long ride.
- While I am fully aware that it was most certainly in jest, I was somewhat heartened by the cat-call I received from a passing SUV in response to my cycling garb.
Anyway, I got home safe with no mishaps and fun was has by all.
3 Comments
Way to go, man! That’s pretty awesome.
And, I’ll take being made fun of by someone in an SUV over said SUV owner deciding to buzz me or throw a $4 bottled water at me…
Great job sticking with the resolution John. RE: energy gels try Cliff Shots, margarita flavor. They taste close to the real thing…