Friday, Saturday, and Sunday all had high winds, all out of the South. So all my rides the past three days had me going South, down County Road 8. These winds were brutal. All double digits with guest flirting with 30 mph.
Friday Alex and Charlie picked me up on the way out of town. I opted for the single speed once again. For the most part we did the Dirt Bag route. The wind wasn't supposed to be as high on Friday but we soon found out that was wrong. I was in the hurt locker a few times. Single speed, wind, hills, and a fast pace had my legs and lungs screaming. It's been awhile since I put in such efforts. Best get used to them as the season is here. Eventually my legs came around and I started to feel better. I woke up with a headache that day however and was unable to shake that.
At a turnaround point Alex and Charlie headed for home to meet time obligations and I headed further into the wind. I really didn't have an agenda so I just rode into the wind. I deviated from the Dirt Bag course and pushed on to the Luce Line trail. I took the trail for 5 or so miles before turning for home. Tailwind! Super windy days aren't ideal for a single speed. You grind gears on the way out and spin like mad on the way back. Oddly, I like it!
The Ride.
Saturday Jen and the the older two girls were able to get tickets to the sections gymnastics meet. Thus I was home with Harper. Not wanting to deal with the crazy high winds in the afternoon I got out before sun rise. Nonetheless it was already windy. My legs and knees were a bit knackered from Friday so I pulled out the Evergreen for it's first ride of the season.
Not wanting to do the same start as the previous day I tossed in the loop through Long Lake, the Silo run to 90th street, and took county road 75 to Grover (Dirt Bag road). Not having as much time I ended with parts of the original Dirt Bag route.
The Ride.
Later that day I worked on the single speed some. It's starting to produce some odd noises. All the normal noise producing spots were cleaned and lubed. Still making the noise. I have one more area to work on but ran out of time. I also freshened up the sealant in the Evergreen.
Sunday I didn't wake up till 7! Nine hours of sleep! I was really unmotivated to ride. It was overcast and once again already in the double digits for wind. Finally around 8:30 I headed out on the Evergreen. This time I did start out on the Dirt Bag route but only Huber. I then cut out big chunks of it to continue on a mostly southern route. I'm not sure that it was but Sunday felt like the windiest day of the 3. It was just nuts at times. Going up hill on gravel, into the wind had me crawling over the the top. I just had to laugh. Despite feeling unmotivated and having tired legs I felt pretty dang good on the ride. I left home thinking I'd go for 50-60 miles, like Saturday. But as the turn came I pushed on further South. When I finally made the turn West and eventually North I had close to 4 hours in already. I don't look at my distance, speed, etc during the ride for the most part but have it on the Map screen. I surmised I'd be close to 100 miles on the day so I took a few side trips to ensure I would be close. Once you are within striking distance of 100 miles you best go for it, right?!
The Ride.
The wind is low and out of the North this morning. A new direction! I'll get in a couple hours before work. Tuesday and Wednesday are predicted to be all day rains. We need it so I guess it's good. I could go for just one day of rain.
Happy Monday.
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