34 days to departure

I bicycled to our new Original Pancake House and enjoyed a nice breakfast with Sharon & Corrine. It was my first visit to this location. Thanks to cool morning temps we sat outside sheltered by trees and bushes.
Pancakes were excellent and so was our conversation. Sharon is driving with friends this afternoon to a Kenny G concert in Hinckley. Corrine was heading home to cut grass and catch-up on household chores.
During the past few weeks our weather has been really hot and humid with daily highs in the nineties. It's wise to bicycle early in the day.
Added 8 pound weights in each pannier, so today's ride is essentially what the bike will feel like on September 1st. Up to this point I have been carrying 5 pound weights as part of my training.
Before the bicycling season started, Cathy suggested the idea of adding weights to my panniers.
It was a smart move and will make my transition to actual touring much easier.
Interestingly, the additional 6 pounds was unnoticed. Just keep pedaling Dennis, don't worry about the extra load!