Yesterday, I rode the paved section from the ballpark north to Sand Lake and back. I rode this trail a couple times before - mainly when I rode from the ballpark to my cousin's apartment in Big Rapids last fall. That was my longest trip ever - 55 miles each way (with an overnight in Big Rapids in between), most of which was on gravel. Personally, I find the paved section much more fun to ride!
It was a beautiful day, and many people were taking advantage of this popular trail for biking, running, walking and stopping at the scenic outlooks like this one.
This is the Rouge River, which I found confusing at first, because I thought the Rouge River ran through the Detroit area, where I grew up. But Wikipedia set me straight! Apparently, the Detroit area river is officially called the River Rouge, even though everyone calls it the "Rouge River." I learned something about my state. Nice!
I used the end of my ride to explore some of the new extentions of the paved trail that have recently been built into the Comstock Park and Walker areas. The ride ended up being 46.5 miles.
So, my longest pre-century training ride has been 55 miles long. I'm feeling pretty good about that even though it's less than I originally planned. The whole getting-hit-by-a-car thing really put a pause in my training schedule. But I know century day will be filled with stops for lunch and snacks, so I think I'll be fine. I know I'm just going to go out there and have fun! Part of me wants to see how fast I can do 105 miles. But maybe for the first century, I should just focus on finishing and having a good time.
Five more days! I can't wait!
Sounds like you've got a great attitude going into the century. That rail trail looks great! No cars, nice scenic overlooks ... perfect for cycling. Good luck over the next five days!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful trail! As for the century, just pace yourself and you'll be fine. If you can ride 55, you can ride 105. Probably in twice the time.
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