Riding Between the Storms
What a great day to get out for a ride between the storms. I love days when the weather is cooler in the morning and you do not feel like you are going to die five minutes into the ride. That first stretch usually decides how the whole ride is going to go, and today it went easy. No fighting the heat right out of the gate, just settling into it.
Dialing In the Cadence
This ride was all about cadence. I wasn't chasing a big number or trying to blow myself up early. I was looking for something steady, a rhythm I could hold while keeping a zone 3-4 push going. That kind of ride takes its own kind of focus. You have to keep checking in with yourself so you don't drift off pace or overdo it too soon.
I still threw in a couple of good sprints along the way. Nice to open the legs up every now and then and remember what it feels like to hit a higher gear, even on a day that's mostly about staying steady.
Mud, Wildlife, and the Halfway Mill
The trail was a bit muddy in a few sections, no surprise given the storms rolling through lately. Honestly, a little mud never hurts. It makes you pay more attention to your line and it's part of the fun. Nothing like getting a bit muddy out there.
I also saw some great wildlife along the way, the kind of thing that always seems to show up more on these cooler mornings.
My turnaround point was the old mill at the halfway mark, and right around there everything opened up nicely. After working through the muddier, tighter parts of the trail, it was a nice payoff to hit that open stretch before heading back.
Worth the Cleanup
Of course, all that mud came home with the bike, so I had to give it a good wash once I got back. Not the most exciting part of the day, but it's always worth it after a ride like that.
Final Thoughts
Days like today are why I keep getting out there. Cool morning, steady cadence work, a couple of sprints, some mud, some wildlife, and a halfway point that opens up right when you need it to. Can't ask for much more than that.