Started about 7:15. A bit cold so I put the UnderArmour cold gear shirt on and toe covers. That was a good call.

Oh was that a great ride.

Sun came out and it was into sunshine and shade. Very mild rollers that barely get the name "hills".

Said good morning and love your jersey for everyone I passed. Commented on the purple pacelines as I went by :)

Picked up three hangars on who kept up with me for most of the first half. I think one of the reasons I've been a bit slower this year in century rides is I've taken to talking instead of head down grinding it out.

Get to the bridge going to Assateague and realize my legs aren't hurting. No cramps in my legs, not feeling bad at all.

Well, isn't this a difference from other rides. Seems that's a snake. Not some little bitty garter but a SNAKE! 4' long and about 4-5" diameter. Across the bike path with a foot or so on either side of it but I'm not about to go near the head side. It's standing up about 2' with the old mouth open. I don't have a clue what type it is and I really don't much care. It's a pissed off snake. "HEY (to the Natural Resources cop) there's a BIG FRIGGIN' SNAKE on the bike path!"

I get to the island and walk around a bit. I'm averaging 19.9. Hmmm, seems my chattering is doing something, I'm used to about 21 MPH average here.

Got back on and rode back to the road. Heeyyyyyy, horses. First time I've seen the horses. They are little. Stand about up to my shoulders total. Little bitty horses.

Saw one of the officers with that snake holding its head and tail. Turns out to be a black rat snake. Those things can grow to be 8' long. Yikes.

Started on the return trip. Whammo. Wind. Complete and total headwind that remains a headwind no matter which direction you face. Found out later the airfield was calling 25 knot wind from the West, read literally direct headwind for almost all the last 40 miles.

Wind is demoralizing. I know what the word relentless means. I'm okay with this return trip wind as I've done this ride a couple times but this was different. I said something about wait until the airfield to some people and here's the airfield. Yup it was everything I thought it was going to be.

Imagine riding your bike in molasses and that's close. Instead of 22-25 MPH, it's 12-14.

There's the finish line. Finally.

Nothing. It was a great ride.

Mostly the bloody wind.