I had an 80 minute, Zone 2, bike session scheduled for today, so I decided I would ride after work, and go explore a few new roads.

With the roads being so quiet, due to so many people staying at home, I decided there was no better time to go exploring.  In the end, many of the roads I chose, were small country roads and I think they would probably have been quiet anyway.  I think I had a total of three cars, pass me on these smaller roads.

What I wasn’t expecting on these roads, was how hilly they would be.  I know it’s Western Pennsylvania and nothing is flat, but I had the preconceived idea that it would just be rolling hills in the area I explored.  I couldn’t have been more wrong.  There were some really nice, fast descents but also a few brutal climbs.  One climb in particular, was almost half a mile long, and ended with a short section of 18-20% grade. I loved it.

I should go exploring more often and later this summer, when I am doing the super long rides in my Ironman build, I will have a good opportunity to do just that.  North of where I live, there are lots of small country roads … it’s time to go see if they are fun to ride.