With temps in the 90s and humidity as high as Florida, riding in the shade of the C&O Towpath and then shady back roads around Poolesville seemed like the right choice. And it was. Heat wasn't a factor until the end when there was soooo much sweating (cuz no breeze). Fair bit of climbing along with longer mileage and the legs seem to be coming around to this notion of needing to pedal all the time. First 18 miles was towpath and a parallel dirt road (mile 8 to 13) and the legs had no choice. There was no coasting. Then some climbing with some descending in which we keep the legs turning by shifting into higher gears instead of coasting. Legs don't have to a lot of work but do have to keep turning. Also discovered posture on the bike was a disaster -- all slumpy and such. Focusing on keeping the back straight seriously helped the climbing power. Contact points ok; had two stops for hotfoot problems with the longest and second about 10 minutes at 28.5. Was hoping to make it to a bench at 29.7 and just could not. ON FIRE! First stop was at White's Ferry at 13.5, but it was only smoldering at that point so it was a shorter stop, maybe 5 minutes. Dude needs new shoes and it ain't the cost, it's the going to the store and trying on and lack of motivation... but it's time. Overall pretty pleased with the effort though the legs were really feeling it after the second hotfoot, which, well, yeah some pretty good climbs in that last 5 miles or so.