Day -6 Backroads and a Trail, Finally

I knew this first week or so would be mostly roads and it has been. If you were wondering how I planned my route all I can say is so am I. Just kidding. I am using an app called Ride with GPS. It takes google, open street maps, and Strava heat map data and help plan bike friendly routes. These can be down loaded as a map and turn by turn directions to my bike computer. I am still figuring out its algorithm but mostly it does a good job (locked gates has already been covered). It does a few weird things like take you on three block tours of residential streets to get you off of a busier road just to return you to it. Or routes through cemeteries (they do have less traffic). Problem is the main road has a shoulder and the neighborhood road doesn’t. Also neighborhoods have dogs. I will cover dogs in another post.

This day the algorithm did good and I have developed a sense for when to ignore the odd side excursions. Today had 60 miles on the docket. Partially to make up for my earlier navigation issues but mostly because there is a carrot to be had. I won’t spoil the surprise but there are a few treats I have planned for myself along the way and I need to get North to celebrate 1 week on this journey in style.

The first 40 miles flew by and I felt great. Then the mid day sun beat me senseless. Dragging and seeing shimmering pavement I pulled over, had my 5th bottle of water for the day, and looked at the map to see what was left. To my surprise it was a trail. A rails to trails no less. Lined with trees for shade and virtually no gradient to speak of. I was getting quite fond of the paved main roads. Armed with my rear radar and a growing ability to grind up the small hills, roads were efficient and predictable. That said if I had 20 more road miles in the sun today I would have failed.

I had not realized the cognitive load traffic puts on you. Where did that car come from and why is he passing me on a blind curve? Where do I turn? Is there something in the shoulder that will make me need to merge with traffic? Why is flagged one way construction always on an uphill forcing me to go faster than I physically should go to clear traffic? Should I hit up that C-store for another soda? People asked what I would think about with all this time to myself. The answer is all that above and very little else. Untill…

The glory of a trail. Almost nothing to think about. It was like no other miles I have ridden so far. It was so relaxing I put on my earphones and listened to music for the first time. (Mom don’t worry they are bone conductive and do not plug your ears. You still have full hearing for the world around you. )

As a side note this trail had a round about. No kidding, five way trail merging roundabout!!! Clint and Rusty let’s see if we can talk DNR into one of these.

I made 60 miles and I am cooked. Lots of fluids and early to bed. Tomorrow should be special.