The weather gods are getting ornery again. The meterological needle may have gotten stuck, leaving us in a pattern of muggy days with occasional showers.
This ride was supposed to be on Saturday. Except it got called because of (potential) rain. Except that the (prospective) new team of Christina Chan and Rich LeGrand didn't get word in time. So Claire and Walt drove to the starting point and found Christina and Rich waiting. "What the heck?" they decided, and they rode most of the route. Without getting wet.
Subsequently, Claire and Walt invited anyone who could make it to try again on Sunday, and three other teams joined them. Once again the weather looked iffy, but, except for oppressive, enervating humidity, the weather held, and we completed the ride and had our customary post-ride feast without weather problems. (Indeed, it started to sprinkle just as we were cleaning up from eating.) The amazing spread of food was probably the real reason for rescheduling the ride: Claire had prepared lots of great food that she had to use up, because she and Walt are doing some traveling soon. Well, we were all glad to help out in such a worthy cause. And George contributed another dose of his awesome brownies, while Cheryl brought the perfect summer treat, a fresh fruit bowl.
Claire wanted us to be sure we noted the flat section of the ride, so, consider it duly noted. We also noted a couple of longer climbs, one 10% according to Walt's inclinometer, following the flat stretch. In general, though, the terrain was rolling, and the roads were in good shape (even if the same could not be said for some of the riders).