There was some hesitation before installing the one tooth larger track cog.
Would it be an admission of weakness?
Would it slow me down too much?
And then I remembered riding fixed on gravel roads is not the fastest option any way.
Besides, one of the delightful joys of riding a bicycle is avoiding that burdensome sense of urgency that is everywhere else in my world.
After a tiresome hot summer, high 50s, dry air, and no wind seems practically perfect to me. Surrounded by the yipping of the coyote. Another hilltop-sunrise-roadside-coffee stop for which I am profoundly grateful.
Not even the 20-25mph headwind could spoil my joy. I started off right into it. The temperature made it down into the upper 60s last night, and our forecast high for today is only 90. North Texas residents are walking around with grins on their faces today.
I took a series of back roads up to Gainesville this morning. Riding into the wind, but not fighting it. I enjoyed watching the wide open spaces roll slowly by, but anticipated the exhilaration of a good strong tailwind at the turnaround point in my loop. Got a new high speed mark for the MAP today.
The forecast low temperature for tomorrow morning is 55. Wow. I think I'll get up early, pack some coffee, and ride out to a nice spot and enjoy the refreshment. Just the thing before meeting with other local christians on a lovely Sunday morning where we can collectively give thanks to God.
In the comments after my last post, Scott (Herringbone) mentioned wood bridges. We don't have many of those down here, but they never fail to capture my interest. In contrast to the old one-laner shown in my last post, today's bridge is modern, wide, and includes a steel truss. I like to slow down when I ride across this one.
I was finally able to get the tire properly seated in the rim on the MAP, and enjoyed a couple of hours out on the geared bike this morning. So it was another day, another bike, and another bridge.
There are long stretches with no shade, and I was a little intimidated by the forecast. It was quite a workout, but it worked out just fine. Great ride.
I wanted to try a route that added some new roads. After my flat tire a couple of weeks ago, I seem to have mounted my rear tire off-center (yes, Hetre on Velocity rim) and I was too lazy to fix it last night. So I rolled the Quickbeam today.
Turns out the the new roads are excellent. But there was enough climbing on this hot summer day to motivate me to get that tire/rim thing resolved...soon.
I like these old one lane steel truss bridges. I think I'll come back by this one again. Maybe next time with more gears.
