I made it!

Today I rode 50.2 miles, bringing my road bike\’s long-term total mileage to 21,000. About a week ago, I saw that I was getting close to 21K; and decided to push to make it to that goal by New Year\’s. And I made it!

Actually, I was afraid I might not make it. The forecasts often predicted rain; but today, fortunately, it hasn\’t rained so far. It was, however, foggy. 

Now for the sixty-four dollar question: were today\’s miles junk miles? By one definition, yes. I rode them to get my mileage total to a certain number; but by another definition, these weren\’t junk miles. This ride was, essentially, recreation. Besides, if I have any notions of doing a century some time next year, it\’s time to be extending the weekly long ride to 50 miles and more.

I admit that for 14 miles or so I didn\’t feel too much like riding. Maybe toaster pastries aren\’t the best pre-ride meal; but after making my usual pit stop at 14.5 miles, I seemed to feel more lively. Today I didn\’t worry too much about speed. All the same, I\’m glad the wind wasn\’t strong.

On the way home, I passed some riders who looked like they were doing some kind of tour. Or maybe they were training for a loaded tour. There were two tandems, and two single bicycles a short way ahead. All of them were loaded with what looked like bedrolls, and so on. I wish we could have chatted a bit. Even if it\’s years away, if I want to do a bicycle tour it isn\’t too soon to begin training!