I road with the group from Scott’s Cycles tonight. The fast group. The fast group that went for a long ride.

Tonight, the air was clear and cold. I wore three layers, including the ‘super soaker’, the heaviest jacket I own. It was needed. Because the wind was out of the north, the group concensious was to ride south beyond the south Salem Hills, thinking that the hills would block the wind. Good theory, but theories often fail when put to the test.

The route south took us up and over 36th Ave and Wiltsey Road – both short but steep. I did drop off of the back, but I managed to stay close enough that I could close the gap once the incline ended. I guess I have to give credit to the wind.

Now we were in the flatlands south of Salem. We passed Cascade High School, and headed toward Stayton, but turned toward Aumsville short of Stayton. On the flats, we felt the north wind, but as we were riding eastward, it was a cross wind and tolerable.

I do not know what was driving the group tonight, but we had several opportuies to head back to Salem, but each time the group took the long route. We tool the long route to Aumsville, then we headed back to Salem via Shaw, another long route.

The group dropped me on the hills to Shaw, and there was no regroup. But I was not alone. Another rider got dropped and then her friend dropped back to join us. The three of us rode back into Salem together.

I finished with 37 miles in 2:23 with over one thousand feet of elevation gain. Even though I got dropped, it was fun.