I wanted to do a longer ride today, after a total sluggish weekend exercise wise (busy as all git out, but still not a good get the heart rate up time), so I decided to make it all the way over to Wellesley and back, and now, having done that, it was definately the right plan. A great ride.
The loop tonight was around Natick, out to Wellesley, up the east side of Natick, into Cochituate, and back home - total of a little shy of 15 miles - gmaps-pedometer
full route map is here.
In classic style, I present my findings:
MBTA trains passed (or passed by): 3
Beeps of "Hiya!" from passers-by: 5
Other general riders: 6
Forced stops due to traffic / lights: 3
BMW's spotted: a bazillion
Billboards[1] seen: 2
Meals consumed: 1
Phone calls received: 0
Sprints to get through a light to avoid unclipping: 1
Minutes spent clipping in [2]: Far too (%&*)(@*@ many
Number of times on small front chainring: 0
Miles covered: 14.5
Top speed: 28mph
Towns touched: 3
[1] : 'bent riders call upright 'colorfully clothed' riders 'billboards'
[2] : This was my first long ride with my new clipless pedals and shoes. Summary: a HUGE difference in the riding experience. I like them a lot - will like them more a) when the shoes are better broken in, and b) when I can clip in in under 30 seconds of fiddling.