Due to all the inclimate weather lately, it's been tough to get some good, short(but intense) training rides completed outside. So yesterday morning, I thought about Bikin' Mikes annual New Rears Day ride. There are 3 route distances, 12, 28, & 38 miles.  
 
After working overnight, I came home long enough to change into riding clothes & headed to Blue Ridge(where the ride starts). I knew from attending Bikin' Mikes spin classes that rides starts from 10-11:00am. Based on this mornings cold temps, I was in no hurry to make the 10:00am start time.
The route makes a clockwise circle from Blue Ridge, Princeton, SqueezePenny, etc...back to Blue Ridge.
And it's always a pleasure to ride past the Blue Ridge transfer station(nice world for dump). The place always smells winter or summer.
 
I arrived around 10:15 at the Blue Ridge community center , got registered, said hello to Mile & his wife & unloaded the bike & headed out. I started at 10:32, & not sure what the temperature was ,but it wasn't bad-really. And there was virtually no wind during the entire ride.
 
Just after Princeton, I passed John Sadowiski & shouted "hello"(sorry John, I was trying keep the rhythm going, & I didn't even see Corsa Ken next to him, sorry Ken). About 10 minutes later I came up on a Car-bent, I said hello & kept going(not knowing is was Jay).  
 
I finished shortly before 12:30pm. Bikin Mike has a Homemade black eye peas & corn bread waiting in the community center. I scarfed down beans & corn bread. Good stuff. It was starting to warm up outside, so I walked around in the town square(that doesn't take long). I see Corsa Ken's car in a parking space, but I didn't see him on the ride. Just then , Jay comes rolling in & we talked for a while, & Ken & John roll in. Time for more cornbread for me, while they ate.
 
It's been too long since I've seen John & Ken, & it was nice to meet Jay. We ate & talked for a while, then it was time to head home.
 
This was the perfect ride/distance for me considering the cold morning temperatures. Those that rode this morning's brevet from Arlington, I feel for ya, I've been there & can honestly say I don't care much for the cold on a 200k bike ride.
 
Mike puts on a good pay ride(as those that have ridden the Collin Classic, etc...know). This route shares some of the same roads as the Collin Classic. It shares a lot of the same roads as 2/3  LSR populaires/permanents. My Garmin 305 read 1,468' of climbing. As typical for the area, there is a fair share of chip seal ,but not horrible, especially for the distance.  
 
It was good to see old friends & meet knew ones.  
 
Happy New Year everyone.  
 

You both are such strong riders. Good to hear the knee pain is gone.  Yes, we both missed not riding with the group today. I didn't get off work until 8:30am, so I would already been DQ'd on time at by the first control. I had a good time on the bike today.  
 
We'll try a 200k next Saturday, weather permitting.  
 
My avg. today was 20.0 mph. 1 hr-53mins,07 secs (37.77 miles). I'm not sure about the H/R data because I was using Peggy's Garmin(since mine was destroyed by the pick-up that hit me). At least I was able to get my helmet replaced already.  
 
I hope the BUC Aero bag issues are not a sign of things to come. I just ordered one.

Quote from AustinSkater on Jan 1^st, 2010, 7:54pm:

 
 
Sandbagger!