Started later than prudent, given the mugginess and heat of the day but also spent the first 13 miles in towpath shade. It took just about all of those shady miles to get the ol body to loosen up -- still tight from bad ride on Saturday, bending over a truck and replacing a fence post on Sunday. Also just old. And out of shape. The next 10 miles felt pretty good even with the start of the climbing and then ... it got hotter and humider. Original intent was to turn left at mile 26.4 but a careful observer will see a zig in the track where the rider stopped in the shade to reconsider whether another 6 miles or so out in the open, in THAT sun, was wise. Said rider remembered that Hughes road went straight to River Road, mostly downhill, and was a mere three-tenths of a mile from a shady connector to the shady towpath and soooooo... our rider skipped the likely more interesting route and dived back into the shade. Probably the right call, even if he did pass up some (a lot of) needed climbing work ... Next time, dude, start earlier!