Randy decided to do the legacy TRC Wednesday Night ride this week. I normally do not do the night time rides during the week as it messes up my schedule, but Randy pinged me and asked if I was going. I couldn't make last Saturday's ride and this coming Saturday the weather looks like it will not be conducive to a ride, so I decide to go. Of course, I have to ride there and back. I don't want to load the trike into the car and the ride there and back gives me extra miles.
Randy, Geo, Ray, Greg, and I all met at the Barnes and Noble parking lot at 6:30. I left home at 5:36 and rode there. I noticed a flat tire -- well, an extremely low tire at Houghton so I pulled over and pumped it up. I averaged about 14.7 mph on the way there.
We took off and rode towards the Pizza place on 3rd and University. We passed by Jefferey's house to pick him up.
After eating pizza, we continued on to Mountain and the LOOP where Greg split off and went home. This was his plan all along.
The rest of us continued on for a fun night of riding. The regulars were feeling good and moving right along. Jeff had been off the bike all summer and didn't feel like riding at that pace. He told us to go ahead and not worry about dropping him. A few of us resisted as our motto is nobody left behind. However, Geo's light had already gone into power saving mode and he needed to make good time to ensure he had enough power to have light all the way back where he needed it. He rode without the headlight while we were on the LOOP. He rode with one of the other of us providing the light.
This strategy worked as he had the necessary light to make it back, albeit in flashing mode.
My light went into power saving mode also. It automatically falls to a flashing mode. I had a spare light because I knew my primary would not last as long as I needed it to. It lasted longer than I thought it would. I used flashing mode when it made sense and the lowest setting while on the LOOP. This extended its life.
I peeled off from the rest of the group at 3rd and Rosemont, about a half mile from the starting point.
I continued on 3rd and followed the bike route until Wilmot where it ends.
My knees were feeling some pain. I changed pedals recently from clipless to Pedaling Innovation platform pedals. This led to me moving my seat forward about 3 cm. That is quite an adjustment and I haven't acclimated yet.
I was able to pedal with the force mostly on my heel and that alleviated the pain.
I was pretty done in the last eight miles or so.
I really enjoyed this ride. The weather and temperature were good. Riding at night is a different experience and is enjoyable.
I did manage to accidentally run over a pack rat that was carrying a load of sticks. That was unfortunate, but he was going away from my line of travel and then turned back into it. My back wheels climbed right over him.