Metcalfe 97km
At first, I was tempted to bike around the block a few times to make this an even hundred. That, of course, was on the way out.
Overcast, high teens, rain threatening, it was an excellent day for biking. The wind was coming from the east, so I reckoned it would be bad going out, but I’d be able to finish strong with a tailwind.
I should have brought a compass. "Heading out" is mostly heading south. A cross wind strong enough that you have to lean into it to hold your position.
When I got to the Black Swan I headed east. Narsty short stretch to remind me that a cross wind is still better than a headwind.
The next 14km north and west towards Metcalfe felt difficult. Not great gobs of speed, sore butt. I stopped in Metcalfe for a snack and then headed back to Ottawa along a series of backroads to Blackburn Hamlet.
The wind was catching me at a better angle so that bit went well.
The rain started when I got to Blackburn Hamlet. At first it felt cold, but the polypro shirt did its thing and I stopped noticing it, though my feet felt like they were swimming.
The stretch along the aviation parkway was a joke. With the wind at my back I flew.
Right now I feel pretty stiff and spent. I reckon I need to do this a few more times before I’m ready for the big one.
