Pretty Good Pace

I fell in behind a young lady about seven miles after the start of yesterday's M.S. Cup 'n Cone tour.  After working my way forward a bit, I joined her as she passed me.  Found out a bit later that at least two others had fallen in behind me too.  I expect we maintained a steady (17mph?) pace until the rest stop at mile 15.5.  Felt good.

Rather than continue to follow the 50mile group I decided to try my luck with the hill on Lystra Road just past the rest stop at N. Chatham elementary school.  All riders had been equipped with a digital chip which we attached to our helmets, thus allowing for us to be "timed" and our paces compared.  The hill is not easy, about a mile long with at least three separate ascents.  Whew.  After finishing the climb and passing the one recording our "splits", I turned around and returned to the starting point in Cary.

The weather cooperated beautifully: overcast skies, temperatures in the low-mid 70s.  One highlight was passing over Jordan Lake on Farrington Point Road at about 8am.  Apart from having to negotiate the hundreds of bicyclists at the beginning of the Tour, I enjoyed the ride very much.  A cup of chocolate custard from Goodberry's at the finish line tasted soooo good!  Speaking of the finish line, as I passed it I heard my name and finish time announced on the P.A. system.  Two hours and nine minutes, about 32 miles.  Not bad considering the hill, a 5-7 minute rest stop and a pause a few miles from the end to inquire whether I was indeed riding on "Green Level West Road.  I was.  By the way I climbed the notorious hill at a 13mph clip.  Fastest guy did it at 19mph!  Shucks, I could have pushed it a bit harder, I think.

No pictures, however.  And today I do not feel any stiffness or soreness.

Next up: Bike Fest in Hillsborough in early August.