Conditioning Ride - 39 miles

Route

Through town to Plymouth (over the newly-opened Broadway Bridge) to the Dixboro Fair; stopped at Michael Nagara's booth; north on Dixboro, right on N. Territorial, left on Pontiac Trail; all the way to the end, which I think is 12 mile road; back on Pontiac Trail to Warren to Whitmore Lake Rd, through Barton Hills, through Bandemere Park, up Main St., up Washington.

Stats

* Leg 1: 6.42 miles; 26 m; 14.3 avg mph;

* Leg 2: 13.44 miles; 50 m; 16.1 avg mph;

* 'Leg 3: 19.14 miles; 1 h 13 m; 15.7 avg mph;

Totals

* 39 miles

* 2 h 29 m

* 15.6 avg mph

Interesting Happenings

Visiting Michael at the fair was fun. He and I talked about art and about the Japanese characters he draws. I began to get an idea for a commission he could do for me, so we talked about that, too.

As I was leaving the fair and heading towards Dixboro, I passed a stopped cyclist dressed in the fancy biking garb. Somewhere on Dixboro, I looked back to see whether he was coming my way, and he was. I figured that there was a pretty good chance he'd pass me. I've noticed a high correlation between fancy garb and riding superiority.

I looked back awhile later, and he was indeed gaining on me. I kept over to the right as much as possible so he could pass me. Eventually he did. We exchanged hello's -- he had a foreign accent -- and he pulled away, but not so fast that I lost sight of him. His legs looked very strong. He turned off at Pontiac Trail while I went straight on Dixboro. I'd planned to continue on up Dixboro, but didn't realize that it became a dirt road across N. Terrotorial. So I cut right and then left on Pontiac trail.

He was ahead by a distance that I didn't figure I could cover given that he'd passed me, and I expected to eventually lose sight of him. But he'd fired up my competitive juices big time, and I kept pace with him, though I'd lost ground by taking the right angle of the triangle behind us, while he'd taken the hypotenuse.

But after awhile, I noticed that he wasn't losing me, and then I began to think I might be gaining on him. I caught up with him at a light - probably Eight Mile Rd. I asked him where he was headed - what was good up this way, and he said that Maybury Park was another four or five miles up. So I told him I'd see him later when the light changed, figuring he'd just sail away.

But we were in a suburban area with lots of traffic, and I kept pace with him. I didn't know whether he was tired, or was just being cautious and going more slowly. Then before long, he signaled right, and stopped at some shops. I bid him farewell and continued on. I didn't look back to see whether he'd stopped for good or whether he was going to continue behind me.

In any case, I was pretty pumped up, so I rode hard. When I saw I was approaching a T, I stopped to rest and consult my map. Unfortunately, I hadn't brought my map for this county because I hadn't planned to be in the county. Plus, I figured it'd be a good time to turn around anyhow. The dinner hour was approaching, and I hadn't planned a super long ride for today.

Impressions of Ride

This was a really fun ride, and I felt really strong. It was as if all the energy I didn't use by not biking to work just came pumping out today. I also felt really happy. It was a gorgeous day - the temperature was absolutely perfect for a ride - I could not ask for better riding conditions. I had music pumping through my brain for the last 20 miles of the ride. When I got home, I turned that CD on LOUD!

Pontiac Trail past 6 mile starts to get into a busier area. Seven Mile looks like it might be interesting to explore. But I would never go past Seven Mile on Pontiac Trail again - it's very busy and suburban - not much nice scenery.