I always look forward to Wednesday nights. Especially when it’s after spring break because of the Kyle’s Bikes ride. This week was no different. Wind was minimal If there was any at all. I think it was out of the north at 6 mph. Which offered for some fast road and gravel conditions. I went out for a 19 mile “warm-up.” Which was all road. The road loop is a favorite of mine as I try to ride at a reasonable clip to warm up. I then hit “the dam hill.” The “damn hill” isn’t really that long, it’s very punchy. You hit it hard and hope your effort is able to hold on the the top before you let up. After the hill you have about a mile or so to catch your breathe up to the first regroup point on the ride. However, I just waited for a gap in traffic and crossed safely, which is what I did. I then rode further north to the northern side of Ankeny where I was at a newly installed traffic light. I turned left on to Irvindale where I turned left and rode to the first stop sign which either goes to Sheldahl or Alleman depending on whichever you choose. I chose to go left and ride to the High Trestle trail. I stopped at the trail and grabbed a water bottle, since I can’t drink while riding. I drank that bottle and headed south at a pretty speedy clip to get back to Kyle’s Bikes to meet up with the group. I got back to Kyle’s and I had time to eat. That’s what I did. I ate two pieces of pizza from Kum&Go, and a Coke, not a smart move on my part. Live and learn. When I got Kyle’s in plenty of time to check a couple things on the bike before heading out for some gravelly goodness. Gravel is very demanding. Road cycling you can day dream and lose track of where you’re at mileage and location on the trails. Gravel you have to always be paying attention to where you’re at and where you want to place your wheel for the smoothest, and hardest packed gravel. Hard packed gravel is like riding on pavement, loose gravel is like riding on sand. I like gravel because I get a better workout than pavement, I also get to see more of the countryside. As I get more experience on gravel I become a stronger and more confident rider, and when I get confident my friends know that they have to work harder to keep up with me. My gravel loop started on pavement with a trip up High Trestle trail to the first gravel crossing. I turned right on to gravel and rode that to a pavement road for a mile, then back on gravel to Sheldahl. We then grabbed water and headed back south on High Trestle trail to the gravel road and rode that south to pavement to ride to State street to ride south for supper at Thunderhead for burgers and such. Of all my rides this early season, this by far was my favorite since I felt strong and didn’t want to end at all. I’m getting stronger with my miles and Bike skills. Looking forward to a good rest of 2018.