Wind is no friend. It always takes more than it gives, always seems to be against you, and when you are weakest, strikes. It grinds you, wears you out, beats you down.
If ever there was the "perfect storm" of wind forecasts, today's was it. The wind would start southwest (in our faces), shift west (in our faces mid-ride), then shift again northwest (in our faces for the return trip). And wouldn't you know it? For once the forecast was 100% right.
Scott, John T., Allen, and I were the only takers for the ride. Scott was only sort of a taker - he had to be home early. Of course all that meant was he could be reckless on the early part of the ride, and poor John T. was sucked into it at first. Allen was ever his conservative self, coasting the back in his full-cover ear gear, black arm warmers, and Mickey Mouse oversized white gloves.
Going north or south wasn't all that bad today, though not at all fun. Going west was torture. Going east was the only fun part, and we didn't have nearly enough of it, or so it seemed. We wound south of Orleans, moved east toward Pumpkin Center and Syria regions, ultimately getting to Livonia via 337. We'd hopped onto 337 near Pat's Plants, and with the prevailing wind I almost made a stab at the record. Looking at the Garmin, I realized we were only 44.5 miles into 100, and I've been sick. Seemed like a really bad idea, which made me want to do it all the more. What kept me from doing it was Allen wanted me to. Anything that man recommends has to be bad for me.
We left Livonia headed north, and boy, it was really starting to get rough out there. It was a long 13-mile trek, and it seemed as if it would never end. Of course it eventually did, and we were at Campbellsburg a bit after noon, buying our lunches. It was a tasty lunch, I might add.
So there we were, 66 miles in. The original plan was to head back to the Washington/Orange County line on 337 and go home from there. However, that line is 32 miles from home. We were at least 7-8 miles from that starting point. We would be way over miles no matter what we did, and on top of that, John T. had a time limit.
Instead we headed due east and got to Leipsic, wound our way toward Liberty Church, then northwest toward DNR. It was pretty rough. Long western stretches went on for an eternity. I kept looking back to see Allen off the back, head sagging, grinding out the gears. The open country sure wasn't much fun today!
Eventually John T. was forced to leave us and head back. Allen and I then started playing with the course to get the extra miles we'd need for the 100. Allen kept turning us south to pick up bits and pieces. After the second time I firmly stated I would not be turning south again until I hit the finish line. Enough was enough!
We did eventually get back, and I was pretty tired. No run today... no reason. I need 5 miles for the week, and there was no way I would do that after the ride. No, might as well wait until tomorrow and do it then. There'll also be a ride in the afternoon. I've heard 2:45 from Allen's church, distance being 50 miles.
If ever there was the "perfect storm" of wind forecasts, today's was it. The wind would start southwest (in our faces), shift west (in our faces mid-ride), then shift again northwest (in our faces for the return trip). And wouldn't you know it? For once the forecast was 100% right.
Scott, John T., Allen, and I were the only takers for the ride. Scott was only sort of a taker - he had to be home early. Of course all that meant was he could be reckless on the early part of the ride, and poor John T. was sucked into it at first. Allen was ever his conservative self, coasting the back in his full-cover ear gear, black arm warmers, and Mickey Mouse oversized white gloves.
Going north or south wasn't all that bad today, though not at all fun. Going west was torture. Going east was the only fun part, and we didn't have nearly enough of it, or so it seemed. We wound south of Orleans, moved east toward Pumpkin Center and Syria regions, ultimately getting to Livonia via 337. We'd hopped onto 337 near Pat's Plants, and with the prevailing wind I almost made a stab at the record. Looking at the Garmin, I realized we were only 44.5 miles into 100, and I've been sick. Seemed like a really bad idea, which made me want to do it all the more. What kept me from doing it was Allen wanted me to. Anything that man recommends has to be bad for me.
We left Livonia headed north, and boy, it was really starting to get rough out there. It was a long 13-mile trek, and it seemed as if it would never end. Of course it eventually did, and we were at Campbellsburg a bit after noon, buying our lunches. It was a tasty lunch, I might add.
So there we were, 66 miles in. The original plan was to head back to the Washington/Orange County line on 337 and go home from there. However, that line is 32 miles from home. We were at least 7-8 miles from that starting point. We would be way over miles no matter what we did, and on top of that, John T. had a time limit.
Instead we headed due east and got to Leipsic, wound our way toward Liberty Church, then northwest toward DNR. It was pretty rough. Long western stretches went on for an eternity. I kept looking back to see Allen off the back, head sagging, grinding out the gears. The open country sure wasn't much fun today!
Eventually John T. was forced to leave us and head back. Allen and I then started playing with the course to get the extra miles we'd need for the 100. Allen kept turning us south to pick up bits and pieces. After the second time I firmly stated I would not be turning south again until I hit the finish line. Enough was enough!
We did eventually get back, and I was pretty tired. No run today... no reason. I need 5 miles for the week, and there was no way I would do that after the ride. No, might as well wait until tomorrow and do it then. There'll also be a ride in the afternoon. I've heard 2:45 from Allen's church, distance being 50 miles.
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