Well that's one way to start the new year -- 30+ miles in 70-degree weather. Took advantage of the city's extensive paved trail network to do a big loop to the Neuse River and back, albeit with a few miscues here and there. Surprising amount of climbing in various spots, most of the short, sharp variety, when you'd expect trails following creeks and sewer lines to be flat or gradual. January legs were fine for the first 20 miles/1.5 hours but predictably objected after that. Which makes sense as most rides since October have been around 1.5 hours. Really nice day, sunny, with a noticeable WNW wind, but temps up into the low 70s the whole ride. This loop has a lot of potential for a regular route when visiting the 'rents, albeit with a few lessons learned. 1) start at Anderson Point (the far eastern turnaround), especially when there's a wind (as usual, from the NW), so the upwind and uphill parts are earlier in the ride. 2) avoid the unrideable dirt section along the creek at 5.8 and instead get on Allegheny and Hertford streets, both calm residential areas. The markings on the maps lie about that section. 3) When there are trail markers, they tend to be mounted in many spots about 10 ft off the ground -- not where you'd look when dealing with curb cuts, roots and other hazards. Look up!