Wanting to do this distance at least once this year, I started out in the early Saturday drizzle with Mac V and Gary P. I wasn't really dressed for a chilly rain (no wool layer), so I was hoping to ride myself warm, and luckily was able to do so. After a while the skies dried up, and by 11am I started seeing my shadow. Having the urge (unlike the younger guys), I pulled over a couple times to stealth-pee, and after the second time, I couldn't catch back up. I kept them in sight for a long time, but my left knee started giving me some grief and I could not accelerate. I couldn't even keep up a double-digit speed in any headwinds or on any inclines (of which there were thankfully few). I accepted that they were long gone on ahead, and was surprised when they came up behind - they had stopped at a McDonald's in Bridgeton! After that I cut short a control food stop, so we played a bit of leap frog, ultimately winding up together at the Swedesboro pizza control at mile 99. They departed before me and continued on their 300k quest, while I was only 26 miles from my goal. With a decent tailwind, I made it back to the start/finish without any drama (thank heaven for ibuprofen). And there I was surprise-greeted by Rick, the event organizer, who handed me homemade brownies and a cold Stewart's Root Beer. Now that guy knows how to make a rider feel appreciated! Saw my first wisteria, buttercups, dandelion puffs and tent caterpillars. Saw some swans on Mannington Meadows, and some ospreys swooping in to improve their pole-top nests by Dividing Creek. Heard a rooster crowing along Hoffman Mill Road. It was nice to ride with others again. Hadn't done so since December. On this ride I used the new-to-me eBrevet app for control check-ins, and it worked well. Should make for less need for volunteers. The actual NJ Randonneurs 200k/300k brevet will be held Saturday May 4. On the Spesh Roubaix.