This Weekend Rides

Sometimes I just need time to do what I want to do.  Despite my obligations to RCO, I decided I needed to do my own thing this weekend.  I had some commitments at home that I needed to tend to and the earlier I got them done, the sooner I could go ride.  I had an assignment that was due Saturday night that I hadn't even started writing as well.  I've spent a lot of time lately do what other people need and want me to do; this weekend I happened to feel very selfish.  Maybe it was partly because I've been in a real rut lately because of school, work, the weather etc; but when I saw the forecast, I knew I had to ride.  So that's what I did. 

Saturday I got a lot of stuff done in the morning, so around 2pm, I decided to ride out to the Cove and take in some singletrack.  I haven't been out there in about a month, so I figured it would be as good as place as any to ride.  I didn't want to drive to the Bennett Springs side, and my pass has the wrong license tag listed on it.  I hate to listen to the water authority people bitch, so I just rode from home.  It is about 6 miles from my house to the fireroad at the gate at the boat dock.  They are not an easy 6 miles either as there are plenty of hills to climb and Reservoir Road is just evil in a couple of places.  None the less it took me about 28 minutes to get there.  Once on the property, I took the fireroad about 3 miles to Schoolhouse Trail.  The fireroad seems a bit smoother than in the past.  I guess the rain wears it down a bit, but still it has its rough spots.  The grass was also high in places, so I reckon those guardshack residents aren't driving around the road as they are supposed it.  Figures.  Anyway, Schoolhouse was as awesome as always except for the one water/mud hole cross that is just getting worse.  (There is a plan to fix it as I learned when I got home and read email today.)  After Schoolhouse, I rode Little Bell, Enchanted Forest then took Songbird back to the fireroad where I debated how I wanted to go home. I elected to do the logical thing and take the shortest way which basically retraced where I had come from.  I managed to get out of the Cove without too much suffering and I climbed Reservoir Road fairly well.  I began to suffer on Rt 11 on the way home.  I guess 23 miles in is a good time to start thinking you're stupid, but whatever.  I did get back home safely (obviously).  All total I rode 26.25 miles in 2 hours and 39 minutes which made my average speed 9.9mph.  I rarely ride that fast on singletrack so you know a lot of my ride was on fireroad and road (~19 miles).  Who knows, maybe I'm getting stronger and faster.  We'll see.  I just need to keep riding steadily to get better.

So Sunday, I woke up feeling kind of rough.  I had gone to bed with a headache and woke up with one.  This one felt like a sinus headache.  Oh well, I still decided I would go ride, but just not at Montvale as I originally planned for my "next Sunday ride."  Instead I headed out to Explore Park.  I have not been there to ride in a really, really long time.  It was nice, but way humid or so it felt (recall I said I didn't feel right).  My head was soaking wet and I really struggled at times.  Got frustrated from my lack of power then remembered that I bit off more than I could chew yesterday.  Satisfied enough with the ride and the trails were super.  I will definitely go back and ride there again.  Perhaps I will feel stronger the next time without the previous day's torture.  Saw some beautiful deer at Explore including a fawn that couldn't have been very old.  Just precious!

In the end I enjoyed both of my rides this weekend, I still want to ride longer and longer, but the weather is turning hell-like again.  Next weekend's rides will have to be done early!  And of course the Chicky Ride is Wednesday night.  I will have it as long as it's not 100 degrees.  I have no desire to have a heat stroke.  We've ridden before in 102 degree heat index, but not on Mill Mountain.  Just have to play it by ear I suppose.