July 4th Weekend

Great weekend for bicyclists. Saturday the 3rd TdF kickoff in Rotterdam with a 10 mile prologue (individual time trial thru city streets). All weekend here in Frederick we had beautiful clear sunny skies. I hit the streets this weekend for a few hours riding each day. Monday I had the day off from work so I went out for a mid day ride. Nothing like the crushing midday sun to snap the elastic on your ride. I flew thru an almost cleaned up Baker Park (site of Sunday's Firework celebration). I hit Rosemont St and actually cruised all the traffic lights (wow, that doesnt happen often - I usually get stuck at 1st light and have to struggle to keep up with traffic out of town).

By time I made it to base of Catoctins my legs were fully warmed. The climb up to Hamburg Rd was smooth and fast. Little traffic on Hamburg helped increase my tempo. By time I topped mtn I noticed calf muscles a bit tight. No time now I had to get moving.

Left turn on Gambrill and short rise to Coxey Brown. Then get a good grip on brakes and shake out the legs for about 3 miles of downhill fun. At bottom of mtn I was really feeling hot and stopped in shade. A quick call to Lallo's Pizza in Wolfsville told me that I had waited too long to get out the door today, they were closing in 15 minutes (no way I would make it in time for a delicious greasy slice).

After catching my breath in shade I continued down Harmony Rd to Harp Hill. Then it was time to chug back up Harmony to Coxey Brown Rd up to Gambrill. By the time I made the top of mtn both my bottles were drained and I was drenched but no problem downhill rest of way home. This July has been beautiful but pretty darn warm.