Yes, it’s back to pre-dawn riding for me. During the Ida/vacation break, it was nice to not have to get up at 4:30 am if I was to get in the day’s miles. If I hadn’t been out of condition because of the break enforced by Ida, I would have done longer rides!

Now that Fall has begun, the daylight is barely beginning when my morning ride ends; and I don’t need to wear sunblock for a ride that begins at 5:15 am! I really don’t mind riding in the dark; but getting up so early day after day is a bit of a drag. This morning the weather was mostly clear; and there were still some constellations visible. I saw Canis Major and Orion.

It was a few degrees warmer than the forecast predicted; but my arms still felt cool when I started out. I wore a short-sleeved jersey; but it really wasn’t cool enough for arm warmers. But it’s coming, especially with my being a dawn rider.

Today I worked at one-minute intervals of pushing my pace. Am I in better shape than I was last week; or did I not push hard enough? My heart rate didn’t reach zone 5. I don’t think I’m quite ready for force work yet; but that’s OK. It, too, will come.

I haven’t seen much wildlife lately; but today I saw an armadillo. Or, to be more precise, I saw part of an armadillo. The forepart of it was hidden in the tall grass; and I suppose it was grazing. Since I got back into town, I’ve seen a bald eagle!

It’s supposed to go down to 70 degrees tonight. This dawn rider had better wear long sleeves tomorrow morning!