Might as well go really big if you're gonna go big. Thought it was time for a 30-mile (or so) pavement ride and so did the modified Quadrants Loop (ride thru all four DC quadrants), going down mostly blocked-off Beach Drive because way fewer walkers than on the Capital Crescent. Wind was from the SW, so smart to go DOWNHILL into the wind first and let it push us back uphill. Worked out pretty well tll no amount of adjusting the rear brake could produce ANY stopping power (see 25-minute stop at mile 14.5) but hey, we were through with downhill. From there it was either flat or uphill. So yeah, rode the rest of the way with only front brakes. {shrug} Also rode along the Anacostia Trail for the first time in months and months and months. And since it was downwind, even better! Pretty good little stop around Mile 31 as feet were on fire (in april?? JEEEZ) and there was some tiredness. All in all, not bad. Cardio is better, though hardly back where it belongs. Warm, warm day for the first third of April in MD -- next week promises to be a bit more normal (like, you know, 60s). W/Dan