3.22.21 (Best friend Bill's 70th birthday)
I rode Rick's Veterans Memorial 100km randonneur route on this fine Spring day (temps 37-60F, ENE winds 5-7mph). This one was 104km, or 64.5 miles, from Vineland to Estelle Manor (where the Atlantic County Veterans Cemetery is located), Corbin City / Tuckahoe,Woodbine, Belleplain State Forest, Port Republic, back thru Buena Vista to Vineland.
Had a false start (forgot to select the route to Navigate in my Garmin), which meant it was best to return to the car, reset my device and start over. Known as 'bonus miles' in the biz, I had 1.6 of them today.
At least a dozen times I heard vernal pond 'peepers' while passing some standing water back in the trees near the road. A couple different times I heard a cock crowing. Saw a turtle sunning himself in a creek along Post Road, but when I circled back I found he was camera-shy. Country stuff. I love it.
Passed a rider going the other direction on NJ-50, and I gave him a wave. He did not return it, at least while I was looking. Maybe he did not approve of my blinking front light and hi-viz vest. Or maybe he just did not want to let go of his aero bars.
Solo, on my Spesh. After last month's suffer-fest Millville 100km, I didn't want to drag another randonneur along to ride at my pace, not knowing if I could even finish. It went well, tho. And being solo, I was able to stop frequently whenever I saw a photo op. That kind of thing can drive co-riders nuts.
About 51 miles into the ride, I reached in the back pocket of my Randonneurs USA for the last of my Clif bar and bumped up against something else. Huh? Ah, it was my Clif Shot caffeine gel (Double Espresso). Score! I had meant to consume it at about the halfway point, but had forgotten about it. I sucked the sweetness down, and shortly thereafter I was well-fortified for the long haul up Union Road.
All in all, this was a good day on the bike.
Pictures, route map and elevation profile here: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/64251000
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