A Tale Of Two Rides

Started into the 20 mph wind -temps in the 30's - just hurt from the outset, and there was no relief - headwind was like riding underwater - crosswind like walking a balance beam. I was working so hard I'd have been warm in just a jersey and shorts - head down no scenery just asphalt. The rollers were excruciating. Once at the top the wind blasted unabated. I've never been so happy to see the three silos just outside of Watertown.
A brief pause to recuperate and then on to dessert. Instead of the 14 and 17 registering on my computer, now I was seeing 22, 23 and even 30. The sun was out. Had it been out for the whole ride? I think it may have been. Now there was no deafening roar in my ears. It was so quiet I could hear the tires hum on the pavement. I love that sound. The wind was now a gentle ally aiding all the way to the top and over the rollers. Steven was riding his orange BMC, and was wearing a black and orange Capo jersey. Very Halloween. We were starting to talk and even laugh. Nevertheless, no one was considering extending this ride. We were on, and not diverting from, the most direct route home.
Very, very hard ride. That first 35 miles could be the hardest I've ever ridden. It's up there in the top 10, that's for sure. I sneaked a peek at the average mph at Watertown, and was surprised and very pleased with the 18.2 I saw. Amy and StevenCX were unbelievably tough today.

The new Cannondale CAAD 9 frame performed well. It's a much more comfortable ride than the Orbea. It may be a little less responsive/quick, but it's a climber and feels more stable on descents and at high speeds. It reminds me of the feel and ride of my De Rosa Planet, which is the bike that preceded my Orbea.
I'm an aluminum boy all the way. Not even carbon stays, for me. You know how hard it is to find an all aluminum bike these days? Very pleased with today's performance of the new frame. 67/19.3