FINALLY, after 2 weeks off the bike I got back on at 3:31AM today with winds 14mph and gusting. The 2 week hiatus was because 13 days ago symptoms started then blossomed into a wicked cold-thank goodness not the flu, had a not too pleasant infection with last Friday night being the worst and almost made an ER visit, slogged through the Half Marathon at Celebration, Fl last Sunday setting a PR but the bad kind as in the worst time ever, spent Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and much of Thursday in my pj's under a blanket on the couch with yesterday finally being the turning day. Really couldn't hit at a worse time since next Saturday was to be my 400 mile/24HR Bike Sebring attempt and now it will just be a do the best I can.

Hopped on the bike and looped around the neighborhood to do a systems check then headed out on the roads. A number of gusts pushed the bike which is not a "good thing" on dark roads at 4AM and for the first time I bailed to available sidewalks as some cars approached from the rear. Initial outing got me 45 miles by the time I made it back home for a quick breakfast. Best bicycling buddy showed up at 8AM and we rode the 5 miles to the start of the Saturday ride. Groups moves out and 2 miles into the ride a hand is raised and FLAT, thankfully not me. I decided not to hang around and told the leader "I'm doing the route so you-all catch me since I'll be moving slow." Finally 22 miles later, most of it into the wind they catch me as we all turn into the first stop. Turns out another FLAT happened and delayed the catch.

A quick break then back on the road and this time finally drafting as #2 in line behind strong best bud. We turn off the main road and I pull over to let the group pass then hook on the rear only to be dropped 6 miles from rest stop. They turn left-I turn right and do my own thing back to the house battling the wind and using it when available. Pull into garage at 12:45PM with 114.06 miles on the Garmin. Already had a quick snooze and now for some Alaskan Salmon, sweet potato, Coor's NA.