Final long ride before Delta Century. Put in 80 miles. I'll probably do a short ride about mid week for my final prep.

Morning Ride

Tested out new tires and tubes this morning during a pre-dawn bike ride, going out of town and back, measuring 31.7 miles round trip. Took a little break beside the road just before the sun came up and then watched the sun rise over the distant Sierras. Beautiful.

I also never tire of seeing how the morning ground fog hugs certain areas: just above the numerous vineyards, large swaths blanketing the road, and hovering above water areas that supply irrigation for the many kinds of fruit and nut trees in the area. Definitely a good ride.

I plan for one final long ride this weekend in preparation for next week's Delta Century.

2008 Delta Century prep

Still preparing for the 2008 Delta Century, coming up May 4th. Put in a long ride today, aiming for about 65 miles. Cycled north toward Elk Grove, turned left on to Hood-Franklin Road over to the city of Hood. Then turned left to head south along the very scenic Hwy 160 all the way to Walnut Grove and then headed east over to Thorton Road for the home stretch. Wind picked up here and there, with some gusts around 8 to 16. Had a rear tire flat on Hwy 160. Repaired. Then had another flat (now on the front) some miles down the road. Lovely. Very tired by the time I got back home. Total mileage: 76. I'm changing out my tires and all new tubes this week! --At one point on the way out, crossing Peltier Road still heading north on Thorton, some cyclist on an organized ride (The Zen Ride?) took a wrong turn. The three cyclist continued north on Thorton, where they should have turned on to Peltier. Since I was going up Thorton anyway--and they had passed me a few minutes before when I had stopped to munch on a half sandwich--I decided to chase them down and let them know about the wrong turn. ...Took about five minutes, but I finally caught up with them and let them know, "your turn was back there at Peltier."

Overall good ride. Weather--other than wind gusts--made it a beautiful day for a ride! Will put in some tire reinforcements this week on some new tires before heading out again.