As I rode south on Route 11 I came across a cow that seemed out of place. I stopped on the side of the road to take a closer look, and sure enough he was on the wrong side of the fence. I took a gamble that its owner lived at the top a steep drive nearby, though I couldn’t see over the ridge. I started up the hill on my bike while my bovine friend looked back at me like a puppy who knows he shouldn’t be chewing on that. When I got to the top, I found a friendly woman tending to quite a few more cows. They all moo’d to alert her of my presence. I told her about her rogue child, she thanked me and we discussed where I was coming from and ultimately headed for. She asked if I had missed the rain yesterday; I told her I had, and she wished for me that would also be the case today. Unfortunately it was not.
Today was a day of ups and downs. Lots of ups and downs. Altogether I climbed 5,850 ft today, and did most of that in a driving rain. I’m not sure I’ve ever had a more difficult day on my bike. Yet even in the rain, the views of the hills and valleys made it worth every turn of the pedals. And when the day’s destination was finally in sight, the feeling of accomplishment over self doubt was irreplaceable. I’m warm and dry now, and ready to see what tomorrow brings.
Day 5: 123.9 miles
#RideSouth
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