Exercise update

I know that you all have been waiting with bated breath(how do you spell this - and what does it mean!) for an update on our extensive exercise program. Since the first message on our exercising we have ridden three more times!!!! The next time we rode was in Lincoln. We decided to have a picnic date night and then ride. We noticed that we could eat our picnic without the need to save room for gnats. We also noticed (because we are VERY observant people) that riding on concrete paths is easier than rock paths. Since we didn't have gnats to contend with we had other path enthusiasts. This has always made for a little game that I like to play while riding. Yes I can multi-task with the best of them. Anyway, I try to greet most everyone I meet. The trick is to get them to say what I say. If I greet them with a "hello", they need to respond back with a "hello". Now if they greet me first, I must respond different than them. If they say "hello" I need to say something different like "hi" or "good evening". So far, I do believe that I am far ahead of everyone that I have met.
Anyway, the second night we went back to the Gnat Buffet. We rode from Saltillo all the way to Roca Road. When we got back I thought I had been impaled by a big gnat but on further investigation I think I have a zit on my cheek! Believe me, when you ride as fast as we do it is not hard to get facial injuries from these bugs.
Tonight, we started west of Hickman and rode north to Roca Road. This was a very pleasant ride all the way there. I did notice that according to my "altimeter" (doesn't everyone have one of those?) we had dropped 65 feet. I just figured that it was acting up. After we turned around I realized that I was right. It didn't feel like 65 feet, it felt like we had to climb 6500 feet back to where we started. Actually the "altimeter" was right about the 65 feet.
I also noticed that the gnats on the southern part of the trail taste different. I do believe they have a smoother bouquet - and are bigger. I also noticed that there weren't as many but still do choke you when you inhale them.
All together we have now ridden 22 miles since we started last week. Hopefully we will reach our goal of 23 miles before the first snow fall.

Mike