What a Difference a Day Makes!

Last weekend, Elizabeth and I took a trip to Houston, Texas and Sulphur, LA. We attended the wedding of her niece, Melissa Kitfield. It was a nice wedding and we had a fantastic time hanging out with her cousins Claude and Ron Kitfield and seeing places we'd never before visited.
Upon arriving home at about 12:30 AM, I proceeded upstairs to watch the two hour season finale of "24" on the DVR. Hang in there Jack - we need you! By the time I hit the pillow it was after two! Then on Tuesday, I got up early to get a few things done. My goal was to take an early bike ride but before I knew it the clock said 2:30 PM!
Off I went on the bike and I knew instinctively that this was not going to be one of my better rides. My legs felt weak and tired and no matter how I tried it was difficult to maintain any rhythm at all! At my turn around spot near Pond Park I felt exhausted, hot, and wishing for a thirty-two once Coke!
By the time I was back to the intersection of Folsom Bl. and Iron Point I was totally spent. The rest of the ride is about 3.5 miles and most of it up hill. I pulled out the phone and called Elizabeth. Luckily she was just leaving for a dinner appointment and was willing to rescue me in the truck and then catch a ride home with a girlfriend. To say I was upset would be an understatement! I do not like not finishing a ride!
Today after work, I elected to once again mount my road bike and forgo the mountain bike racing at Prairie City. Wow, by the time I turned the corner on to Marsh Hawk I knew today was going to be the polar opposite of yesterday's effort.
I was flying down Iron Point and had the large chain ring engaged. My speed down to the fish hatchery was close to my personal best at 22-minutes. The farther I went the better I felt. No coasting ... just hammering the pedals! At about thirteen miles, I turned around after about a 45-second rest. Back on the pedals trying to catch all the fast riders out on this beautiful evening. Going up the long ramp just east of Sunrise, I caught the wheel of a tandem and while staying in the big gear easily made it to the top.
There were multiple sprints when I pushed up to over 20-MPH and it all felt good. Finally, back to the intersection where I bonked yesterday and I powered up Iron Point. A glance at the computer revealed double-digit speed all the way to Prairie City Road. At one point, I was spinning at 15-MPH on the uphill section near Intel. Across McAdoo in the big ring again and flying. One last right turn onto Marsh Hawk followed by a left on Sprig and up the driveway. Garage door open, release foot, stop and park bike. Back home feeling great! This was a memorable ride! What a difference a day makes!