I woke up restless

Bad thoughts filled my head

The dawn light was breaking

Wife was beside me sleeping soundly

Reality snapped back in

All was good, it was just a bad dream

Slipped out of bed to make tea

Birds were singing outside

I made a high protein breakfast

While hydrating to excess

Checked over my bike in the garage

Pumped up the tires and tested the brakes

It was time to get dressed

Heart monitor strap went on first

Then my bib n brace and cycling jersey

Loaded the bike with 2 full water bottles

Filled my back pocket with emergency supplies

Added a couple of energy gels

Bike shoes and helmet donned

Took the wife some hot tea

She was only half awake

Rolled out to taste the air

It was super hot and very humid

Started to pedal steadily down the empty streets

Soon met the rest of the group

We set off in a pace-line

Wheel to wheel matching speeds

The rider in front dictated the pace

While pointing out hazards ion the road

I took my turn at the front

Pushing hard into the strong wind 

Riding mostly on back roads with virtually no traffic

Great conversations as we whizzed by farmlands

We reached the half way rest stop

Time for a comfort break and a snack

More hydration and chatting ensued

Back in the saddle for the fast ride home

Mostly downwind so we could fly

Made it back home safely

34 miles on the computer

Lifted the bike onto the wall rack

Ate protein, showered and took a short nap

Tackled the rest of the day with vigor 

Did tons of stuff in the afternoon and evening

A perfect day