Long ride on this day to prepare for next week's Shanti ride. During the night, I thought about what route to take and made a rough, slightly incorrect estimate that it would be about 82 or 83 miles. I was off by about 6 miles. Headed out, starting at 5:30, via Ben Zvi and the 44 to the 40, heading south. It was nice, temperature-wise, for much of this ride, a little cool at the start. I was riding a decent pace on the 40, not pushing too hard. All the way down to the 35, where I turned and rode by Kiryat Gat. So I can now say I have ridden to Kiryat Gat and back. The road started to tilt up slightly near KG, and then past Hwy 6 it got steeper. Road was under construction with no riding lane for a stretch, so that was nerve-wracking. By this time, I was on the 38. It seemed like a long time before I got to Bet Guvrin, You drop down into Bet Guvrin, then climb gradually to the highest point in the ride. I was about 50 miles in, so I stopped here and had some cake and water for a short break. From here, it was generally downhill with some flats until a couple of climbs, one about a mile long and the other shorter and steeper.. Back to the 44 and the usual climbs and downhills. The wind was really strange on this day. Sometimes I felt it helping me along, but it shifted into a headwind as I got closer to home, so that slowed me down. My legs felt okay, they responded when I would stand up on the pedals. A little complaint from my hamstrings, but it didn't have any real effect. By this time, I was done with pushing hard on the pedals, content to maintain a steady cadence and get home. Felt fine at the end, here's hoping it's a good sign for next week.
By the way, I put my Fitbit in power-conservation mode, and at some point before I got to Kiryat Malakhi it ended the ride. I didn't notice until I stopped for my break, so I just logged another ride for the last 37 miles.
Avg speed = 17.2 mph. Total mileage = 88.3 mi
Avg heartrate = 151 bpm (est.)
Total elevation gain = 3950'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3876958357
