Solo ride this year to Evart and back to North End Riverside Park in Big Rapids. Less participants this year (about 60 according to the organizer--vs. about 100 in the past). Beautiful weather. Stiff wind out of the WNW on the way out, shifting to the WSW on the way back from Reed City. Given my recent cold/illness, Aikido seminar, and poor weather prohibiting riding during the past 3-4 weeks, 54 miles was more than enough for a solo ride. The way back into a block headwind of 15-20 mph sucked the remaining energy out of me. Picked up a tack in my front tyre on the way out, just south of Reed City, so had to stop and change out the tube. Otherwise the ride was a good one. Had three deer cross the trail in front of me on the way out--pretty cool!