The Third Century

No, not the years 200-299. I mean my third 100-mile ride of the season.

This one was particularly lovely. My wife, who has been living in northern Michigan this fall as she works on writing projects, was in Holland (MI) giving a workshop. Because I had left a car up north when I went to drive my parents down to Ann Arbor, I saw this as an opportunity to recover my car and get in a nice bike ride.

So on Friday I set out. Perfect weather! Temperature around 70, sun and clouds, and--get this--a 10 mph tail wind. An east wind, just when I needed it!

I rode from Okemos to Holt on Waverly Rd, then across on Holt Rd. to Dimondale, then across on Vermontville Rd to (guess!) Vermontville, continuing on to Hastings, where I stopped for my lunch of cheese and crackers (and a purchased orange juice). Then on from Hastings through non-towns basically to Holland, for a total of 99 miles. OK, I know that's not really 100. Close enough.

The Rambouillet was magnificent. The new Avocet Women's Touring II saddle was fabulous. The new hi-viz reflective vest protected me.

But I kept getting flat tires. There must be some tiny little pokey thing creating a tiny hole that slowly drains the tire. I had to inflate it every ten miles. Not a huge problem, but annoying.

My cheap Nashbar frame pump worked beautifully. Much better than my old Zefal. (Sorry.) I may buy another Nashbar pump for my touring bike.