I’m not sure exactly what “Fall plans” means, though. Certainly not going back to school; but maybe drawing up a more definite training plan? I know, I know; RAGBRAI 2026 is a long way off. But how long would it take me to train up for a personal century?

Before I even consider shooting for a century, I have to ride a few extra miles to see whether the bike path is open again. The mini-park where I could make a pit stop is two miles past the closure; and reaching it would mean riding on a busy road. With a big curve to create a blind spot for motor vehicle drivers!

Even with a written plan — Fall plans or otherwise — I’m prone to changing things; and that isn’t necessarily bad. The weather can take an unexpected turn; or I might have a cramp-y muscle that won’t tolerate hard use that day. Roll with the punches, they say!