Lots of Wind

Only one word for this week's riding. Wind. Strong, flag-flapping wind from the south-west.

Wednesday Tom, Terry, Bill, Dan and I collected in the West Jeff HS parking lot under heavy clouds to brave the elements. We put 32 solid miles together, standing on the pedals for a while to get to double digits on a flat road against what seemed like gale force winds. But after we pedaled "up hill" to start the ride we cranked it into the mid 30's on the flat when the wind was at our backs.

Friday was forecast sunny and 80 so I decided I would ride a solo loop and see where my whim and the wind would take me. Left home about 8:30 and headed north with the sourwesterly wind already strong. Once at Bellepoint, I headed west to Marysville to head into the wind and then south to Plain City to get the into the wind riding behind me. Headed northeast from there to Powell enjoying the push. Lunch at Deb and Les' befre Les decided to test his healing foot by joining me for the ride to Worthington Hills. Finished with 74 miles.

And then back out this morning to test the wind once again with Dave, Cathy, Ted, Ned and Greg. Lafayette to Yellow SPrings and back for a "Levy 75" that turned out to be 81 miles in the end. The first 44 miles had us staggered across the south and west bound roads trying to find a little shelter from the ever strengthening wind behind the front runner who hunched over the bars to maintain 14 mph, rotating back every mile or so. But after lunch in Yellow Springs the trip back was reward for the hard miles out.

So the week ended with somewhat under 200 miles.