There is nothing quite as frustrating as five minutes into the bike ride (or running) you realize that you forgot to switch on the Garmin. Not that an unrecorded quarter mile makes any difference to anybody but as every bicyclist or runner will tell you, these things matter to us!

The roads were relatively empty. So, stuck to the roads instead of the trail for most of the ride.

First ride in some time. Was away on vacation.

This morning, I put in another 20 miler. Partially on road and partially on trail. I was coming up to the last couple of miles. I had routed myself to go over what I call my personal Heartbreak Hill. The intersection of Kimball Bridge and Northwinds Parkway requires a steep climb for about half a mile any which way you approach it.

At the intersection before that, I was waiting for the traffic light to turn green steeling myself for the impending ordeal. I saw about 4-5 cyclists come from the other side and stop at their light. These were obviously seasoned cyclists.

As I was going in front of them, one of them shouted out “Hey Rajib!”.

That was odd. I had heard that call out while running, at airports, at coffee shops and even in front of Niagara Falls. But who could this be who recognized me in spite of my helmet? I was too scared to stop immediately in case the cross traffic started. But pulled over once I reached the other side.

That was Matt Tebbe! The guy who got me into biking and helped me thru my bike choices!!

“How much are you doing today?” I asked him.

“Coming up on my 90th mile!”

“Wow! I will be lucky if I can finish 19 today.”

Later checked his Strava update. He did 92 miles+. Went to Ballground and beyond. Usually that is where I go with my motorcycle!!

That is amazing stamina and strength.

Some day… I hope… some day…

I had evidently forgotten how hilly Milton is.

Got hopelessly lost in the trail!

After riding from home on Alpha Loop, I did my heartbreak hill on Northwinds Parkway and then rolled down Kimball Bridge for half a mile before entering Alpharetta Greenway. This was the first time I took this entry. I thought I turned north and was hoping to come out at Webb Bridge Road from where I would go home straight. After about 20 minutes or so, I started paying attention to my surroundings to look for clues of Webb Bridge approaching. Instead, I popped up on Mansell Road! I had clearly turned south instead of north!!

Ah! well… took a picture in the parking lot, one swig of water and biked back to the Starbucks next to home!

Got tired of the cars from behind (if there are cars from front, I cannot often detect the noise of cars from behind) enough to put in two side mirrors. They solved that problem but now extended the length of my handle bars a lot. It is tricky to get the bike in and out of garage without hitting the motorbike or car. I will try this for some time and eventually might go to the digital solution (rear camera).

Found this on the internet. What caught my eye is that this is EXACTLY the curve I am on. Till the fourth point. Exactly in the same sequence. (I would have never thought I would actually move from Apple watch to Garmin!)

Now I am curious about what does “Go Clipless” even mean. Also, can I skip the next step, please?