Catch Up

I've been trying to make this post all damn day. Been playing catch up here. Posts from my phone don't exactly show up at the time I posted them.

I've been tired and hungry after this weekend's rides, but it was back to work today. Last night I envisioned a 50-miler before work. Couldn't get out the door in time to make this happen, so I thought I'd get out as far as I could within the timeframe I had.

Took the Arlington Wineglass loop and right around the end of the W&OD section I caught up with a guy on a mountain bike who seemed pretty studly. He sensed me behind him and picked up the pace. I took the bait, and soon enough he waved me past him. With him sucking my wheel, we covered the Curtis Trail quicker than I ever have before. This section is fast to begin with and we must have averaged well over 20 mph over the roughly 5 mile rolling stretch. I can't believe he was able to ride that fast on a mountain bike with studded tires and front suspension. I experienced some oxygen debt like I've never ever experienced before (that I can remember) and it reminded me of one of the great (or terrible) reasons to ride or run with others.

I ended up capping the ride at 30, feeling satisfied that the effort I'd expended on the Custis section outweighed the possible benefits of adding additional miles. 1:40.