Unbelievably gorgeous day today! It was chilly this morning, though. I was ready for a warm brekkie. I had forethought last night to soak some steel cut oats, so they were quicker to cook this morning. Love that technique.
I did the usual banana custard style topped with some strawberry jam and cashew butter.
My mouth and tummy were happy campers! I got a chance to catch up on blogs and some emails while waiting for John to get up 
We packed up some snacks and got ready to hit the road for a long ride. I am so happy to go riding!
Headed down to Saratoga today. It was such a beautiful day for a ride. I kept saying that until John got annoyed LOL! (Did I mention it was a beautiful day??) We stopped around mile 12 as I wanted a snack. It’s hard to wait longer when I ate breakfast about 2 hours earlier than John did. Product placement:
This was in the swag bag from the Silk & Satins race. I wanted to see how Craisins did in place of my usual dates. They did fine.
Does anyone smell ham? I do:
(He thinks he is so cool now all decked out in the new jersey….)
I started to have chain problems around mile 16. Uh oh. I messed with it a little. There is one link that if it gets the smallest dust speck in it, it tends to stick. This is after wiping off my hands. Ick.
It seemed okay after that for the rest of the ride. After 22 miles, we got to Saratoga. First stop? Cupcake Lab!
We wanted lunch and a little something else. It was nice not to be dripping sweat since the day was so nice. Did I mention that already?
I love this saying:
Of course, anything that says coffee is all right by me…. My choice for lunch was the breakfast burrito. I got that forgetting it had sausage in it (I thought it was the local bacon). They get the bacon locally, but not the other meats. Not quite sure why that is as the smokehouse they get the bacon from is where we buy all our meat. Anyway – here is my delicious burrito in a honey wheat wrap with egg, cheese, potato, and sausage. With a perfect strawberry on the side.
Yum! I was so hungry that I kind of woofed this down. Ooops. Trying to be mindful, but really hard when you are hungry.
We wanted dessert, of course. How can you go to a cupcake place and not have anything? Choices, choices. I wanted a peanut butter frosted cupcake:
We also had the Almond Joy, which I was remiss in gettng a picture of.
And some fresh brewed coffee.
They brew each cup individually with a filter, which I adore! I got a coffee called Witches Brew. Very smooth coffee. I would probably brew this a little stronger, but everyone I know says we make our coffee too strong. 
Then the owner brought out a new flavor cupcake to us to try on the house. How nice is that? She actually recognized me from my blog. First local recognition!
This was a coconut cream cupcake. Vanilla cupcake with coconut cream filling topped with buttercream. It was really good. Very coconuty. Again, I like this size of cupcake because it isn’t monstrous in size.
John proclaimed the almond joy to be his favorite. I like the peanut butter frosted. I like anything nutty anyway.
After this, we walked around town. Big horse.
Saratoga is horse town, as the track runs during the summer. It is track season now, but downtown was surprisingly uncrowded. Guess everyone was at the track itself. Stopped in to Borders just to see if Caitlin’s Operation Beautiful book was there, but it was not. Boooo on Borders.
We were trying to let our cupcake babies settle for a bit. I was a little full. Hopped over to the bike store and got some much needed chain lube. Chain all better now! Yay!
Then we rode home. My legs felt quite good. After 30 miles, John asked if I was warmed up yet. Hardeehar. Such a comedian. After 32 miles, we took a break for some coconut water. More product placement!
Maybe Zico would sponsor my Team Challenge ride?? (I wish!!)
Long road behind us.
This is the entry to someone’s driveway.
It’s all gravel. That has to suck in winter time LOL!
We hit a big hill right after this and I think I drank too much water and coconut water, because I was getting a side cramp that lasted for about 3 miles. Ugh. Then I felt fine.
It was an awesome ride today! Great weather can make all the difference in how a ride feels. I could do the 62 mile Team Challenge ride tomorrow. Well, maybe not tomorrow since I did 45 today, but I am ready now.
Ride stats:
45.6 miles
3:25 of actual ride time
Top speed: 24.8 mph
Avg speed: 13.4 mph
Calories burned: 1440 (good thing after those cuppicakes!)
I have to say that I feel so strong right now. I still have work to do on my leg, but I don’t think I could ask to be more in bike shape than I am right now. The scale is just a box with a number on it. It does not tell me that I am strong and beautiful. It does not know that I can bike 100 miles in a day. It does not know that I can squat and deadlift in the weight room with the guys. And I don’t care what it doesn’t know about me – because *I* know it 
Love the Craisins idea.
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..110 Pounds is MOVING =-.
It sounds like you had a wonderful day. I tend to go on and on about beautiful days too, but DH doesn’t seem to mind. Either Almond Joy or that Coconut cupcake for me, but I didn’t earn one with biking today. Question. How did you learn about how to repair your bike? Did you take a class? That’s one thing that keeps me from wanting to attempt longer and farther rides. I’d be sunk (or stranded) if something happened to my bike. The scale “a box with a number on it”–gorgeous. And it didn’t get a cupcake either, so there!
.-= Tish´s last blog ..Its WAR =-.
Fantastic! What a lovely day, and what a lovely sentiment to end your blog with. Really enjoyed the whole post and the pics. I have to say, too, that now that I’ve done 25 miles in a day I am *very* impressed with your ability to crank out the 65 and 100 milers. Not only are you incredibly fit, you must either have an amazingly plush bike seat or buns (literally) of steel. I do 25 miles and the seat starts to really hurt!
.-= Ishmael´s last blog ..More Family Fun =-.
I love that last paragraph. I am starting to feel like that myself, and it is a good feeling.
Of course, I love the cupcake pics also. But what I really want is a piece of John’s Birthday Cake.
I’d bike for those cupcakes too! You will totally get there with the progress on your leg. Especially at that pace. You’re looking so great. Love the smiling photo. And John’s wearing his new birthday jersey
Hoping to be back to working out at full strength soon.
.-= Amanda @ BakingWithoutABox´s last blog ..Los Angeles Grand Central Market for Dessert on Rest Day =-.
I am completely amazed at you. I’m getting there but it’s a long road (pun intended). Not much of a biker except on my exercycle but I like how you feel about yourself. It’s positive, and I like that.
Good job.
Vee at http://veegettinghealthy.blogspot.com
.-= Vee´s last blog ..Day 40 Sat Weight Loss Again! =-.
I love your last paragraph – such a great way to think. This could be ad copy for Nike!
.-= Amy´s last blog ..Slow on Sunday =-.
Great point about the scale- you are very fit! I love all of those cupcakes- I wish we had places like that around here!
.-= Alissa´s last blog ..New Year Resolutions- Check up – Pictures =-.
What an awesome day!!! Maybe I need to dump all my freinds and loved ones for people who are as energetic as you and your hubby are…..
.-= Ron´s last blog ..Day 4 and going out to eat =-.
We had a beautiful day yesterday too; I hope today is more of the same!
The painted horse reminds me of Amarillo, TX. Those horses are everywhere there.
I love the recaps of your Saturday bike rides. Those cupcakes look delicious, I would jump on my bike for that too!
I have no doubt at all that you will do great on the 62 mile Team challenge!
LOL @ the product placements. Looks like it was a fun day! Those cupcakes look awesome!
Wait…what kind of day was it again?
Love that you appreciate it so much!
Cool beans on the blog recognition – woot, free cupcake! Dang, they look yummy. We don’t have fancy cupcake places around here (thank god) but one of these days, I will hunt one down near where my kids live.
LOVE your scale manifesto!
.-= Shelley B´s last blog ..Friday Mishmash – Plus Protein Brownie Review! =-.
Lori, before I forget, have to say I love your last comments! Yes, you are one strong lady!
Now on to the cupcakes!
YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How cool that you were recognized too. You might have to start wearing those big sunglasses so you are not attacked by the paps!
That horse is too cool!
Have a good eve!
.-= Jody – Fit at 52´s last blog ..Health Benefits of Watermelon & Recipes! =-.
You are strong and beautiful! It is so easy to let the scale “tell” us who we are.
What a great day for a bike ride! LOL! Free cupcakes…can’t help but love that. You are getting to be famous.
.-= Kimberley´s last blog ..Busy Day Tomorrow! =-.
so glad you are feeling strong on your bike!!! love that you biked for cupcakes-my favorite dessert for sure and you earned it. was is a beautiful day?
.-= kalli@fitandfortysomething´s last blog ..Ouch and a Success Story =-.
That’s nice, but how was the weather?
Seriously, your last paragraph? Nails life,in a nutshell, completely for me. It’s authentic power.
.-= Cammy@TippyToeDiet´s last blog ..Lessons Learned =-.
Great ride! Good for you two. Doesn’t food taste so much better when you’ve worked for it
.-= Joanne´s last blog ..A Taste of Utica Frog Eye Salad =-.
I LOVE those last 7 sentences you wrote! (yes, I counted them)
Also, I really like Ocean Spray CRAISINS! I have some about every other day. They are really good mixed with almonds. (like a snack mix)