6/3/06

I decided I wanted to ride 45 miles today, trying to up my mileage in the hills by 10 each weekend. I just figured that we'd ride the 45 miles (which included the 35 miles I rode last sat.) that Tom rode last weekend. But, alas, twas not to be. Tom mapped out a route that he hadn't ridden or really driven before. We started out going down into Camden and then heading to Sommerville. By the way, riding along side train tracks with a train flying by is kinda cool. So anyways, 6 or so miles of downhill/flat terrain, and then we crossed 127 and headed up, up, up Sommerville Road. It was a looong, gradual hill and I was winded by the time I got to the top. Then, we headed south on 177 and turned onto Harris. I've driven Harris many many times and I can tell you it's nothing but hills. Tom has never driven Harris before, and he had no clue that it was nothing but hills. And when I say hills, I mean not-too-steep-not-too-gradual, but very long hills. So we did this. Then crossed 127 again and headed up, up, up on some other hilly road. Then turned onto another up, up, up hilly road. At one point Tom says "I have no clue where this elevation is coming from". So, I - being fat and not in great shape - decide to head home after my third rest in about 3 miles. Our ride ends up being around 32 miles, rather than 45, and I say this with no reservation: it was the toughest ride yet. But I learned a lesson, and that would be that I will drive any routes longer than 35 miles from now on if Tom hasn't already done so. I need to get on my bike for longer than 50 miles, but without killing myself.

M: 32
MTD: 393
ML: 607