I remember a spring day when I was a junior in high school, I was breifly on the tennis team (only to impress a girl, what else)...after practice, I went with my buddies in thier convertable and drove around - it was right after daylight savings time, so the day seemed to last forever, it was a sunset that cast purple shadows, sky crisp and clear. I was happy. Unsure why that particular spring day is captured in my mind...but today was a similar scenario (to be memorable in the same way).
 photo by d. scott gregory |
I got up super early this morning and woofed down a Powerbar, some strawberries, got some coffee to go for the road and headed out to Leesburg for my first (metric) Century of the season. This one was basically a training rode for me..that I payed 10 bucks for, an organized metric century (100 kilometers, 63 miles) with SAG (service & Gear), pit stops, et al. But the weather - it was just fricking amazing. Not much to report about the actual ride, great folks I met en route, the food was not so great - but hey, it was only a $10 entrance fee. It was more of a leisure stroll for most folks, then there were a few hard core people - well, we tore it up. I finished in about three hours and 28 minutes. The ride seemed too short for a few of us, so we did a 5 mile "cool down" ride. Total of 68 miles today - those hills kill my legs...good training for the Mountains of Misery.
There was an extensive picnic afterwards, with a cycling showcase...sortof an outdoor trade show of bike equipment. I spent the afternoon just mosying around. Got a premature sunburn on my arms, was glad I sprayed on sunscreen this morn (Goatee is coming off soon, I don't need a silly goatee tanline, bad enough I get a bike short "biker's tan" and odd strap mark tan lines from my helmet).
 photo by d. scott gregory |
I finished the afternoon by running a few errands - had my sunroof open all day. Came home, showered and changed then spent the evening cooking for my parents. I made Rainbow Trout stuffed with herbed leek, spinach and sausage - side dish of Methi Leaf Stirfry and a Romano Tomato vinegrette bruchetta over hard toast covered in gorgonzola cheese. (recipe to follow...click on pictures to see larger).
Sunday night anxiety settles in. Not looking forward to this work week - I am looking forward to similar weather as today and some great training rides, and moving plans to follow.