Texas Canine Ambush   
 Ride Stats
Distance: 59.71 miles Altitude Gain: 2,672 ft Avg Speed: 15.17 mph
Route: Penn Yan North Wind Avg Grade: 0 % Max Grade: 0 %
Max HR: 144 bpm Avg HR: 123 bpm Terrain: Road: Hills
Bike: Look Blade RS 795 Iconic Ltd Road Club: Schuyler County Cycling Club
Weather Conditions: Rain\Showers 74 F NW wind @ 6 mph
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 Chance of Showers
Tour de Perry is upcoming on Saturday and although I had entered it last winter I am still waffling on whether to go or not, It is a fairly hilly fifty miler. Plan today was to ride a fifty plus ride that has a similar amount of climbing. Weather forecast looked fair for a ride to Penn Yan that is to the north. There was a chance of a brief shower during my window but also little wind for the first hour that would pick up from the north helping me on the return leg. It was cloudy when I headed out but roads were dry. It started raining as I started climbing out of Watkins up SR 14\14A. Climb wasn't too bad but just kept my head down and spun away waiting for the brief shower to pass. It appears the shower followed me for the next hour and a half and didn't get any dry roads until I was descending after the second climb to Penn Yan. It wasn't raining too hard but I developed a new problem. The area is home to numerous Amish, and the shoulders were covered with a fine selection of horse manure. It wasn't raining hard enough to wash the manure from the road but instead created a manure soup. Soon my lower legs and bike were coated a lovely brown. I also noted that the same coating now covered my water bottles. Spend some time considering whether or not it would be safe to drink from them. Being soaked kept me fairly hydrated but was concerned that I would have another forty miles to ride in the sun if the rain stopped. First two climbs were behind me and although neither was very fast the legs still felt good. Did the math at the top of the second climb and figured I would have to pick things up to get a lowly fifteen average with two climbs left to go. Made up a little time on the six mile descent to Penn Yan and started climbing up SR 54 and picked up a good tailwind. Kept a steady pace on the first harder section in the Village and picked up some good speed over the top. Had another fast descent to Dryden then immediately started the last climb up Swartwood Road. Felt good up the last climb and settled into some grinding across the thirteen miles to the last descent into Watkins. Ran into another shower along SR 14S along the lake that wasn't unwelcome, as I was hoping it would give things a good rinse. Got to the Gabriel's Junction and didn't think I had enough to reach my fifteen average but was saved by a faster than average downhill to Watkins. Did get home in good shape without any leg fatigue although my speed was rather slow. But I felt confident that I could do Perry at least at a relaxed pace but riding with the fast guys wasn't going to happen this year.

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7/8 - Chance of Showers
7/7 - 87 Masi Cruise
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7/3 - Another Short Ride
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Lifetime: 106,508 mi
Member No. 37801
Member since: Dec 2009
Home: Montour Falls, NY 
Look Blade RS 795 Iconic Ltd
Road bike
Schuyler County Cycling Club

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