I generally don't set the bar very high in regards to my annual riding expectations and this year was no exception. I really wanted to ride my age on my birthday and to participate in the R2k rally ( https://home.roadrunner.com/~rare/ ).

I rode a solo century on my 60th birthday, and rode the rally (the 80 mile route) this past Saturday. I only had about four weeks to prepare for those rides after a very inactive Winter and Spring. Though I assumed I could muddle through them I still felt a bit stressed in the weeks prior to the two rides wondering how conditioned I would actually be on ride day. It turned out that I had no cause for concern as I held up just fine. I was no speed demon but then I never am.

So the training and pre-ride anticipation is finally behind me for this year. Now all I want to do is to Commute, run errands, and leisurely tool around on my various bikes.

I think I'll start by riding down to the local "Cruise Night" down at the burger stand tonight, and have an ice cream there of course. I just need to decide which bike to take....

I am beginning to think that a 6 month winter layoff works wonders. Only got in a few 20 milers this winter then the day before a ride was due- decided to do it with a bunch of mates. Only 65 miles but in the last couple of months they have got im more rides- more miles and more hills than I have all winter. Should not have worried. The ride was a doddle- legs and body and back felt better next day than they have after a weekends gardening- and even the "Natural" tiredness went after a shower.

Shall have to get them on my training regime as the rest of the group struggled.