Last long March ride

Mar 29, 04:40 PM

I’ll post a March update in a couple of days for anyone who is reading this blog (mostly for myself!). Just a brief note on yesterday’s ride. There was a stiff south wind, 10-15 mph, so I decided to go south and then come back north. I decided on a 25-mile ride to Westfield (50 miles round trip), partly along the Manhan Rail Trail in Easthampton, and partly along some back roads in Easthampton, Holyoke, and Southampton. The last five miles or so were on Route 202. Indeed, the winds were strong and in my face for much of the way out, but it was nice having them at my back on the return. After doing those 50 miles I was joined by Jennifer, who rode with me from Hadley to Look Park in Northampton and back, mostly along the Norwottuck and Northampton bike paths.

It was cold and cloudy all day, with highs in the mid 40s. And for the last half-hour on the way back from Look Park, we were riding in light rain. My generator-powered headlight (IQ Cyo R Senso Plus) worked well to keep us visible to oncoming traffic and, as the sun began to set behind the gray clouds, to light the way (though it was still twilight when we got home).

I ate two Clif Bars, a Snickers bar, and some corn chips during the ride, and drank a 20-oz. bottle of Gatorade and about 8 oz. orange juice, in addition to a couple bottles of water. I didn’t bonk, and I didn’t have indigestion, so I think I have the eating part down. Still, the shortest brevet is 53 miles more than I did yesterday, so there may be nutritional surprises in my future….

Brian W. Ogilvie

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