Postponing this ride was a wise choice. Instead of gray overcast skies and winds gusting up to 40 mph, today was sunny with cloudless blue skies, bright sun and a gentle breeze. It was in the high 30s when we started, but by the time we were finished climbing Thrift Hill it had warmed up to the mid 40s and was 48 when we finished just before 2 pm. A small group today: Erika Kane, Joan Oppel, Richard Harrington, Linda Bankerd and me. We stayed together, for the most part: a half-mile gap on Surratts was closed by the traffic light at 301, and a quarter mile gap on Molly Berry closed by the group waiting for me at the stop sign. Although it was a very gentle day for Dec. 23 and the scenery was quite beautiful, the group decided to shorten the ride from 46 to 40 by eliminating one of the loops. AMS at the back of the pack: 13.5. This was a very pretty route, and one I'll happily lead again.
