I had fully intended that this blog would log adventures throughout the year, rather than just the week-long RAGBRAI adventure. But somehow things didn't work out that way.
And now here we are again almost time to set out for RAGBRAI. The training this year has been a lot more pleasant than what I remember from last year. All those days after work and on Saturdays last year having to get out and do the same old routes I remember thinking that maybe it wasn't even worth it for the one week of fun I knew was coming if I could just get through the weeks of training.
This year because of a mid-winter job change I'm working in a different part of Fairfax County. Towards the end of May I encountered a girl on her bicycle at work and asked her about what routes she used from her house to our workplace. Although, she lives in a different part of the county, it was the very busy area around our workplace that I had concluded would not be bike friendly at all, and possibly even dangerous to ride through. But her tips on where to bike to avoid the dangerous parts and find safe street crossings were quite enlightening. I took her suggestions and mapped out a 9-mile ride from my house to work. I'm thrilled with my bike commute to work. Nothing makes my day more enjoyable than being able to set off early in the morning and pedal into work. I have gotten in lots of training miles by riding to work most days.
And, of course, we are still doing our Saturday rides on the W&OD to get in the longer mileage trips. The last 2 Saturdays I was able to do 60 miles each time. This Saturday, the weekend of the 4th, is traditionally when I aim for a 70-mile ride. All indications at this point is that I will be ready for it and that the weather is going to cooperate.
RAGBBRAI here we come!
