This was my longest ride in 2 years, nothing to brag about but it part of my long way to go come back! My goal was to keep my effort as low as I could while maintaining a good pace and cadence. It went well for the first 1/2 of the ride. The temps were perfect, wind was mild but present. I didn't start to hurt until about 18 miles in, it started gradual but everywhere together. By 25 miles my body was yelling at me, lower right side back started yelling then both arms followed by my neck mostly right side. Then my bottom end got very uncomfortable followed by both knees. Even though my body was revolting I still felt good. Because I started so late I altered the route big time and glad I did. I wasn't too happy about my lights as they didn't light up the road well enough so that I could see the debris and pot holes. I had to be extra alert to avoid the road hazards, this alone took a major toll but helped me not concentrating on my body pains! The ride was really enjoyable with only 2 or 3 vehicles passing to close and or blasting their horns behind me as they passed but for the most part most cars were very good at giving me ample room. As the miles started to wind down I had to figure which way to go, I didn't want to need to pass my final turn off to get the 40 miles, there were 4 turns I could make, I choose the the 3rd turn because the 1st one would have ended short, the 2nd 2 miles of the route has no shoulders, the 4th one would have have added nearly 5 miles which I wasn't sure my legs would have liked that, so it was the 3rd turn off, I thought would have added between 1/2 to 1 mile it was actually 1.6 miles over. I was riding high at this point knowing I was on the home stretch and just need to hold on. I was also motivated reading how a few of my cycling buddies were victorious in their races today! On my turn off the main road I made wide fast turn, and just as I was making the transition their were a bunch of teens playing something in the middle of the street, forcing me to wider and hitting both front and back brakes into a near lockup to avoid them. I greeted them as I passed by scaring the crap out of them! That was exciting to say the least just before the ending of my ride. 1/4 mile to my Big Smiles and finish... Be safe out there, enjoy the ride and shine your victorious Smile!