Long ride to nuke plant

BIKE 50 miles in 2:51, ave 17.2 mph

Was home for the weekend, and had the opportunity to break up my long ride/long run by splitting them to Friday/Sunday. Dad and I sketched out a few ride options the night before, in the end I stuck to the Grand Ridge ride. I've done a shorter version of this route a few years (?) ago and I didn't require driving to the start.

Gorgeous day, oh wow, full sun and little wind, dry and calm and all sorts of wonderful.  Went out the door on a few eggs and veg, only water on the bike and a clementine orange if I want it at the turn-around.

Rode up to the school road, down to the "Grand Ridge Blacktop", then onto GR which was 12 miles away. That came up fast and I just continued on amazed that I hadn't come to a stop yet and was having a perfect day with such low traffic. The plan was to ride out to the nuke plant where PaulG works and maybe catch a view of the coolant lake. Thought a pict of that would make a funny OWS joke.

Soon enough I could see the nuke plant tower and building, but like a mountain range  although visible it didn't mean it was close! Had a joke about this with Jess and Paul later :)  Then soon enough the plant was going by, but the only view of the coolant lake was a brief peek at the shiny water. Turns out the lake is hidden by a levee. Oh well. Stopped, orange, ride home.

On the outbound I thought I had a headwind, mild as could be but the grass seemed to suggest it. Nope, same feeling on the way home. It was that calm. Refilled the bottles at a BP station in GR, rolled out, still feeling great and time just slipped by. Around mile 46-47 the left hip stalled out, the muscles weren't pulling the pedal up. I tried to be careful to not overdue the compensation to the right leg, thankfully only 3 miles to go and didn't notice much.

Rolled home strong and was amazed at how I was riding a half iron distance so easily and under 3 hours!?  Took a few minutes to realize I had 50 and 56 confused, haha!

Noticed on this ride that the right aerobar arm brace is broken, that's what's leading to the discomfort  the past few rides. I think I knew this already, from last year?