10 Mile Ride

The weather cooled off for a week or so. Then it shot up to 100F again yesterday. It must the summer barking out loud for the last time. 

I didn't count on it. I didn't bother to check the weather before I left and I got dehydrated half way to Paradise. I aborted the trip when I got the Expo Parkway. I found a Subway next REI there and gulped down a few cups. I knew Subway gives refill -- we've bought a cup and two of us soaked ourselves at one in Worthington, MN. While REI, I checked out Synapse bike in size 54. The size was workable -- I could put the zero offset seatpost and 80mm stem and could ride it comfortably. But the bike was not as lively as my Contend SL. I'll spring for a second when I find a stiff 54 under 16 lbs. with low stand-over.

The river trail disappeared at N 12th. The road turned into Hwy 162 in North direction and the bridge going over the river had a narrow sidewalk. It didn't seem like a good idea to ride on it, in the wrong direction no less. I didn't know where that led to anyway. So I rode down the 12th, crossed over to the other side and the stopped at CubeSmart to ask. She told me that the street between Ford and Casino will lead to my salvation. As such I got back on the Northern Bike trail, only to find that the river trail became a dirt track from there on. I wasn't going to ride for 3 miles on the dirt road. I crossed the river to get on to Jedediah-Smith trail that led me to Expo Parkway shopping center.

It was good for 10 miles round trip starting from Matsui Waterfront Park. I left my car there and ended up with a ticket. I didn't know there was a time limit there. Parking at Tiscornia as I originally planned and paying $5 would've been a better deal.  The car was boiling in the sun too when I got back. 

I'm fatigued today, but ok otherwise. It's a normal post-exercise fatigue, not sickness. And I'm ready to believe that I'm recovering, for good this time around. I'll shoot for 20 miles in the Fall. If I make it, I'll declare that I'm recovered. For now, we are travelling to Oregon next week.