ACK!

Today's ride was fun, but I was cold then hot then freezing cold.  The weather is blah so that didn't help.  I must have sweated a ton under my jacket, then when I wanted to ride without I nearly froze - the wicking was working.  HA!  As part of my ride today, I decided to park in the garage at work.  I rode through Riversedge to the alley next to Valley Bank.  Took the alley up a ways then road to another alley.  Got to Fern Park and ascended the trail.  Once up to the CRL, I debated riding it, but decided against it once I saw two or three runners.  It would be my luck that someone would call the ranger and I'd get a ticket. 

Instead,  I rode up the road to Woodthrush which I of course, I rode down.  I wanted to see what the deal was with the new trail I spotted last week.  I had heard that they built a new one from the Star Trail Parking lot up to the intersection of Star and Woodthrush.  It's a short, but sweet downhill.  The return trip back up it wasn't that difficult - I felt like it was easier than the gravel road.  I took my jacket off because I was sweating profusely from the climbing.  I started up Woodthrush and quickly realized that my moisture wicking baselayer had indeed wicked the sweat to the outside of my jersey which was wet; so this meant COLD.  I put my jacket back on and continued up Woodthrush.  I rode up the entire way without walking, but I did stop a few times to catch my breath.  My cardio just isn't up to par yet. 

At the top of Woodthrush, I took a right and headed toward the top of Mill Mtn.  I took a left at the intersection of the roads and climbed Ridgeline to the top.  Had a granola bar there then back down Ridgeline to Riser to Big Sunny (Car Trail).  I decided if I felt decent I'd try to climb Monument.  Once I got to that trailhead, I decided to give it a try.  UGH!  I did manage to ride quite a bit of it, but I did have to stop and I did walk a short section.  Otherwise, I did alright on it I suppose.  From there I took a left and went down the road to CRL.  Took a right there where I could head down to Fern Park.  Again, debated riding CRL, but I was cold by now and it had started to rain. 

I did enjoy my ride.  Got in 13.81 miles by the time I wound my way back to the car.  It took me 1:57 today.  Not bad, kept a 7.1mph average which is decent for me, but it counts the downhills along with the slow, agonizing climbs.  Yet again, I enjoyed my Sunday ride.  This is definitely my day to ride.  One more left without the hassle of schoolwork.  YAY.  I may try to go somewhere different next week.  Mill Mountain is fine, but I'd like to go somewhere and ride with other people.  If not then I'll be solo-ing somewhere.  =)