15.05.06 | a decent ride yesterday…

Yesterday i rode to the city and back (approx. 175 km) with Gwen which was my biggest single day ride by far. he forecast was ominous and the night before was raining solidly.
The morning was dry and conditions seemed pretty nice - that is except for the predicted 24 knot headwind that did arrived as predicted. It made for slower and more energy draining riding. We stocked up on some essential gear at MEC, had a good feed and left the city a little late...
As we were riding back the weather turned on us well we rode into the weather predicted, which had arrived late enough for s to beat it on the way into the city. Light drizzle eventually turned to solid rain, yet nothing too serious. The last 15km or so it was constant. It was also dark by that stage and i was glad that i had picked up a rear light - i also decided that i would have picked up a front light after and SUV coming out of a side street almost took me out (his fault for not looking, but my trying to save a few dollars didn't help).
i was starttng to struggle singificantly over the last few kms and need to improve my stamina for the upcoming multiday ride west following Gwen (before turning back). The departure date may be tomorrow - which i hope not - or next Tuesday given the extra traffic around for the long weekend and not wanting to be on the road with it.
So i have put together most of my gear now - my savings account is crying - and i am ruing the decision not to get clipless pedals with my bike (it would have cost me no more). Whilst getting the last couple things today, i will now be looking at cycling shoes...