Ride #14 - July 10, 2011

    Ride started about the same time as the previous one since I was hoping to get a century in today.   I left at 8:15 and cruised into the Tridge area at about 8:45 where I met up with Dave P. and Dave B.   I insisted to them that we take it no faster then 16 mph and we would not have any problem going to the distance.   Well it worked most of the time but several times we just had to air it out and went upwards of 30 mph during a couple of short sprints.   We stopped at Coleman where I got two bottles of Gatorade.   We decided to take Loomis Road and ride up to Mansiding.   For some reason the hills went very easy and we took a nice break just after turning in on Mansiding.   That down hill after the last hill is nice and one can reach over 40 mph but you have use the brakes to make the turn onto Mansiding.   We rode into the wind a little and took another break at the Convenience Store near 127 highway.   I wanted to go into Harrison for lunch but Dave and Dave wanted to take Clare Road into Clare.   So we rode "suicide" road into Clare.   I got my way and we stopped at McDonalds for lunch.  I am hooked on those Smoothies.   We returned to the trail via Colonsville Road.   I made the mistake of taking off after an Amish buggy telling Dave and Dave I would pass it before it reached the stop sign.   Cranking away for about a half a mile at 26 to 28 mph in the dry wind and 90 F temperature took its toll later when I got to Loomis and was beat for a spell.   After a break I felt better but we took additional water and snack breaks at Coleman and Sanford.   As I approached the end of the 93 mile ride and the Tridge, I was surprised to see Mary coming in with the bike rack on the car.    That saved me the last 8 miles of riding to the house but prevented me from getting in my first century.   No pictures today!!