Post tune-up sunset ride

Penelope was in for a tune-up for two days, and of course those were two days when the weather would have been grand for a bike ride.. so, when I picked her up yesterday after work, I was itching to have a ride.

I wanted to see the sunset over the causeway, so I set off.

It is about my favorite time of year, when the lilacs bloom.  The streets around here are lined with them, and I could smell them as I rode by.  Glorious.

The sky was nearly cloudless, and the lake was smooth as glass.

I look forward to more sunset rides.. this was fantastic.

My ride was faster, too, after my tune-up.  Penelope has a brand new chain, and her random scrapes and squeaks have been cleaned up.  I went 10.3 miles, with an average speed of 10.7 mph - though at points, I was as fast at 18.3 mph. 

All repaired - and an amazing meandering morning ride

Repairing Penelope, curious cat at hand

Last night, my husband helped me replace my bike tire, so that I wouldn't be grounded anymore.

Ready to head out for a ride, new tire all ready and raring to go!

Today is my day off, and I had to drop something off at my daughter's school, so I decided to take my Penelope to do it.  From there, I continued where the path led me, though I had not been on the path before.  I had seen the bike path behind the school before, but didn't really know where it led.

Follow the bike route

I simply followed where the path took us.  It was a very nice ride, and the path was pleasant. 

Pretty path

This "map" will not help find anyone's way.  Weathered beyond belief.

A lovely little bridge

I ended up heading to the library to pick up a book, and then back home by another route.  I would have kept going on the path, but I neglected to pack any food.

Home again. 

I might go out on another ride this afternoon.  We'll see.  In all, though, it was fantastic to simply go out exploring.  This was a 16 1/2 mile ride, which is the longest one yet for me this year.  I was still slow (8.2 mph average), but I wasn't hurrying.  This is faster than I was before inflating my tires to the proper amount.  We'll see how much faster I can be after I get my tune up next week!