The best way to celebrate the return of Daylight Savings Time? A long ride, of course. Today was an absolutely ideal day for an early spring 200K permanent. The day started at 31F, but by noon temps were in the 50s and the sunshine was abundant.
Today, Andrey and Bill and I chose to ride the misnamed Flatlander's Delight 200K. With a total gain of over 7000 feet, there's nothing excruciating about the ride, but there are some choppers in the middle to get the blood flowing. One of the best features of the route is the stretch in rural Columbia County. In particular, I love the three miles of dirt roads we get to enjoy.
We stopped for lunch at mile 98 at the Historic Village Diner in Red Hook which is renowned for good food, pleasant service and large helpings.
This was the first time since the December that I've ridden my new Indy Fab. You know, steel frame + road salt = not good. So with a March 200K in the bag, I'm one step closer to the RUSA R-12 Award. In fact, I'm just three warm, spring months away from completion.
