Hot Road Ride!!

I knew that the forecast high for the day was going to be in the mid 90's so, I had to get out early if I didn't want to die...makes sense. I left the house about 7:45 or so, and headed out to do my regular mill ride out into yadkin county. About halfway out, I ran across another rider haning out on the side of the road. I slowed up to see if he needed any help, but he was just messing with some food in his pockets, all was well. he jumped on my wheel, and we ended up riding for about 20 miles together. I took him out past the old Butner Mill, we stopped ate a quick snack and headed on up the gravel road. Otis was a lot of fun to ride with, he had never been on gravel on his road bike, never past the mill, and was up for just hanging in with me and exploring a little bit. After the mill we headed back up to 67 towards East Bend. We split off once across the river back into Forsyth County. It was good to meet you Otis, if you end up checking the site!

After we split, I was feeling really good still so I decided to make the long climb up Donnaha and Spainhour Mill roads. The grade is pretty chill, not too often getting above 5 or 6 percent, but it's long and out in the sun for most of the way. It was starting to get extremely hot, the sun radiating from the pavement. After I made my way back through Tobaccoville, I decided to continue on and go towards Bethania. I cut off on a road that I hadn't been on before, but knew that it had some potential. I made the right onto Bowens Road and was greeted with lots of farm country, no cars, and lots of fun rollers. There is one nasty climb on Bowens that gets up to 12% for a decent little while...I already had about 45 miles in by this time, so it definitely hurt! After I got to Old Richmond, I decided it was time to head on back. I got in all in all about 50-55 miles in just under 3 hours. Pretty fast ride, hot, and fun!

As a flashback, I have to thank Van at Paceline for embarrassing me on Saturday. We were getting ready to head out for the AM ride, maybe about 30 riders. Van always has a pre-ride pep talk usually dealing with safety/route/having fun and the such. Saturday, though, he called attention to what he deemed, "the best dressed rider," and said that all riders should dress this way;

My face was probably exceptionally red...thanks Van!