how slow can you go?

I rode with my social bike group today. We actually had two rides scheduled, a group on mtn bikes met at the same location before heading up to the Tillamook State Forest for some fat tired riding, the group I joined was planning on about 25 miles or so to shake down some "new to them" bikes. The weather forecast was saying 90% chance of rain throughout the day. Surprisingly 4 of the 6 who RSVP'd affirmative showed up despite the forecast.

One of the more active members of our group was signed up for neither ride but did stop by to say howdy on his way to spin class.

(Frank on his way to a guaranteed dry and warm bike ride)

As it ended up we had absolutely no rain while riding today! The planned route ended up having a gravel road that we opted to avoid, missing the gravel, but adding miles. It was a nice day to add miles though. Toward the end of our already slow ride one rider dropped off the back. We stopped to regroup and waited.........and waited.............and waited. I finally rode back to find our lost rider because we recalled that he had no flat repair supplies. If he flatted he was out of luck if he was solo. I backtracked about 3 miles before finding him. Luckily no flat, just slower. Having regrouped we finished up. I ended up with 37 miles..........in 4 hours. Less than a 10 mph average.

That's not even maintenance pace! I need to start pushing it a bit. That won't be tomorrow however as I and a few others are helping another social group rider celebrate his 42nd birthday with a bike tour of 4 area wineries. I think there will be more touring than riding!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
...............Road Bike.....LifeCycle.....Total Miles Today
.................37...............0.................37
Jan total.......501.....+.........30.......=.......531
Feb total.......614.....+.........0........=.......614
March total.....860.....+.........0........=.......860
April total.....790.....+.........0........=.......790
May total.......901.....+.........0........=.......901
June total......543.....+.........0........=.......543
July total.....1322.....+.........0........=......1322
August total...1603.....+.........0........=......1603
Sept total.....1403.....+.........0........=......1403
October.........503.....+.........0........=.......503
November........320.....+.........0........=.......320
Year to date...9432.....+.........30.......=......9462 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++