Saturday, June 28, 2014

Back in the saddle

After taking a break of 1 week, I did a 50 mile ride and this was a nicer ride. I left Chantilly and went to The Plains VA a truly small country town by inter state highway 66. The first leg of the route took me through familiar territory (Route 50 - John Mosby Highway). This stretch has rolling roads and is a good way to get warmed up. At approximately 7 miles from the start, I took route Route 15. This stretch felt like a steady climb until I hit route 55(Approximately 18 miles from the start). Route 55 was another case of rolling roads but more often it felt that I was on the ascent than the descent. This route runs parallel to route 66. Finally 9 miles later I arrived at The Plains VA. By this time I was beginning to tire more than usual. It was around 10 AM and already 80 degrees. I headed back and then took a detour via Route 626 to Middleburg. This route was probably the most part of the ride.

However about a few miles later I appeared to have taken the wrong turn. My GPS navigator on the phone was working. Clearly this is a wireless dead zone. So I continued till I saw a USPS mail delivery truck who had stopped by for mail deliveries. She was not certain if I was headed to Middleburg. Never the less I continued to cycle and when I passed Boxwood Winery, I knew I was on the right track. A mile later the rode intersected with Route 50. I passed through Middleburg downtown  and took my first break approximately 37 miles from the start. Clearly I should have taken more breaks. A few miles later I passed through the historic town of Aldie and took a second break by the historic Aldie mill established nearly 200 years back.

The next stop on the trip was the British Pantry. The stop was apropos given my trip to United Kingdom next week. I had a little bit of the Cliff bar and embarked on the final stretch passing through Stoneridge before arriving in South Riding.

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/457156818

(Check the 3D Model ride. It is really cool. You will need Google Earth Plug-In)

No comments:

Post a Comment