Yeah, it’s not a real race. I liked the quiet streets on the last trip, so I figured I’d go more-or-less on the same route.

Turned off to my main street, and there were probably 50 cyclists, a few tents, bunches of cars and the odd random officiant wearing dayglo orange. Now, I was feeling very manly today, because I had just put on my 2 ft long rainbow windsock on the back of my already tres manly recumbent, so I sped up behind some wedgy riders and asked what the race was. It was apparently the High Desert Road Race. I was peeved. It was my road, after all.

So, I figured out which way they were going, and I went the other direction. It wasn’t a closed route, so I wasn’t being a dick…there were still other cars passing me. Anyway, turns out guys don’t look at you when you’ve got a rainbow windsock recumbent, but the ladies all smile. Sure, they’re laughing on the inside, but it’s all good.

I also found a few really nice smooth roads, one that went on a really nice gradual 3 mile or so descent. It was completely awesome until I saw the Pavement Ends sign. The 3 miles back felt longer.

Also broke my first spoke, which was pretty nifty, and I felt hardcore wrapping it around a good one and going on. The wheel was pretty untrue by the time I got back, so the wheel’s in the shop. They look at a 20″ tire with a road wheel on it with some questions.