Trip Prep

Well, I've been riding "a lot" since I missed the train to Vermont with Lee and Jerry on the 28th.

The real test was last weekend, where I rode both Saturday and Sunday. We took Saturday fairly leisurely, putting in 36 miles with 1412 feet of climbing. Sunday was supposed to be leisurely too, a ride with Mark and his two brothers out on the W&OD. They're a competitive bunch, and I was feeling good, so pushed it on some of the straightaways, hitting 22 mph for an extended period at times. Well, I was feeling it after that!

So I rested until Wednesday, July 4th, when Mark and I did another longer ride with easy climbing. That turned out well, and my average speed of nearly 13 mph surprised me. So I think my knee is ready! Last night, I did a shakedown cruise with the Surly, my first loaded ride with it, and all went well. I stuffed both panniers with my gear, threw on the cargo trunk, and pretended I was on tour. But I could feel that extra 25 lbs.! Tomorrow, I do the final packing, and Saturday, I'm off to Vermont!

On the W&OD Trail headed for Shirlington. Only one guy who passed me noted I was on a touring bike (he recognized the Surly). I imagine most people thought I was just a commuter bringing a lot of work home!

Memorial Bridge over the Potomac and the Lincoln Memorial to its right as seen during my shakedown ride.

And the Washington Monument and tip of the Jefferson Memorial on the same ride.

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