Fitty

Beautiful October weather can bring out the bravado in us all.  I had long wished to put in a 50 mile ride (a half century in biking parlance) and today seemed as good a day as any to give it a go.  The bike had a recent mini-overhaul, sporting a new chain, bottom bracket and cassette and a new rear tire and was about as road ready as possible.

I left about 10am just as the day was warming up and there was little wind as I started out.  My route took me through Keller, Westlake, Roanoke, Trophy Club and back to Southlake.  The first 40 miles went easy enough and I was averaging over 15 MPH.  The last ten were tough.  The wind from the south had picked up and my legs got very heavy and tight.  The last mile or so was ridden in our neighborhood just so I could make the goal.

Based on how my legs feel now after 50.073 miles, I think I can cross the "Hotter than Hell 100" off my bucket list.  Putting in 100 miles in the July heat in Texas seems like torture.

I am in this for the long haul, 50 today brings me within striking distance of 6,000 - which will be my next cycling update.

There are of course the stories of men from Roscommon cycling to Dublin when the Rossies were in the All Ireland Final in 1943 and 1944.  No mean feat on a High Nellie!

As an aside, the late Robin Williams was an avid cyclist and collector and 87 of his bikes are currently up for auction with the proceeds going to charity.

http://money.cnn.com/2016/10/15/media/robin-williams-bicycle-auction/