My hardest ride yet. Left early so I could get in a longish burn before the feast. Decided to head out to Gunlock then Veyo and do that loop. Hit 20 miles just after crossing the river before the Gunlock turnoff. Was basically right at 20 mph avg to there. Then the trouble started. Once I turned North on the Gunlock road I hit a NASTY head wind that sometimes would come back as a cross wind. It really beat me to death. I wanted to turn around every half mile. In the second hour of my ride I only covered 13 miles and worked way harder than on the first 20. True there are some good climbs but even on flat or slight downhills I had to keep it in an easier gear just to keep moving forward. It was just brutal all the way to Veyo where I turned south. I thought at least now I'll catch a ride with this tailwind back to town.... I did have a good tail wind up Veyo hill and it felt super EZ. Then up Dammeron the wind started to shift and by the time I got to the marathon halfway point I was in another headwind. Ugh! I just worked my butt off to get home in time to go to the family dinner. Figured the wind coast me about 35 extra min's. So by the time I got home I was truly hammered. Oh and I'd only taken 10 oz of gatorade with no Gu or fuel. Got off my bike and hobbled in the house then collapsed on the kitchen floor. The pie later was well deserved. | 