I for one had a great time on the ride.  After having been off the bike for 3 weeks   it was nice to be able to ride at all, and even better to have had the chance to blow the dust off a little, even if I was hacking stuff up every so often.  And getting to stop and chat for a while afterwards is always the icing on the cake.

I was even happy with the bonus miles.  I KNEW Steve and I were only a tiny distance away from rejoining the route, and that going back would mean a double slice of into the wind, but I was happy just being able to ride with Steve and have fun.   What's 15 extra miles between friends?    Steve is always great company!

I've done routes that crossed those same stretches of roads near RBM, so I expected them, but there was one that really needs a light.  And 78 (or whatever it was) just had no business having bikes on it even for a 1/4 mile, much less 3 miles of white knuckle riding, a tight bridge squeeze, and a LEFT TURN ACROSS 80MPH TRAFFIC.  Might as well ride on I-35.  Horrible route for a populaire.

I'm probably to blame for the breakaway pace.  Some thingy-weed started making comments about bents when Steve and I moved up towards the front of the pack.  "Why can't they sit up like everyone else?"  "Hey, did you bring a six-pack or the whole keg?"    Of course my reply was "does that WHOLE seat wedge itself into your arse, or just some of it?"  

That's why I was hauling butt up dump hill, and Steve and I left that mofo in the dust.  Then when we got separated at the light before the control, I blew past them all to catch up with the lead group and the chase was on.  I was way ahead and slowed up a bit, and was nearly caught.  Turned it on again to keep them from drafting me, and slid in behind the leader of the lead group.  Stayed on their tail till the control.  

Ah well, c'est la vie.  Had a great time riding with ya, Steve, and lunching with Emperor Fartacus and the Crew.