It didn’t have to be but it was: a too long day.

It’s not breaking any records but the tough conditions, discomfort, and mileage took it out of me—and as the day wore on I slowed considerably each passing hour. 

Why?

Wind.

Fakakte Wind!

Often gusting up to 30 mph. Always in my face blowing me back, or cross checking me from the west and blowing sideways to my right.

The day also included a four car pile-up in Fort Pierce, at an intersection I’d just pedaled thru less than a minute earlier (see below).

There were road closures—detours adding mileage to the ride. Honking bozos yelling “get on the sidewalk!” Today had it all. Most of it challenging to say the least. So the less said the better.

69 of today’s 70.23 miles were into the sustained wind. Only when I crossed the intracoastal heading east at Fort Pierce was it at my back and assisting me. 

Think of a 7-hour high resistance spin class in a wind tunnel…

I’m at a loss for words. I’m thoroughly enervated. Punch drunk. Flabbergasted. So this becomes an impromptu…

in this (my) neighborhood pt. 84

(I beg your forbearance. I need decompression and rest. Back at it tomorrow. Winds? Who knows.)

Day 8
Start: Jensen Beach, FL
End: Melbourne Beach, FL
Miles: 70.23

What I’m Reading:

Fear at base. Fear of not being able to justify myself, or of not being productive every moment of the day; an inferiority complex that manifests itself in the sense that I must always be justifying my existence by thinking. Feel like there is something else I should be working on.

— Sheila Heti / Alphabetical Diaries