The joys of cycling long distances

So on Saturday I did my last major training for STP by cycling about 55 miles in total in 6 and a half hours. I originally intended to cycle all the way to Snoqualmie Falls, but due to a combination of factors (starting late, missing several turnoffs, going up the wrong trail and not wanting to start cycling back in pitch-black darkness) I turned around somewhere along the Preston-Fall City road (which I'd say was about 60-70% of the way there).

It was an interesting experience, and I ended up with a pretty good idea of how well I can pace myself. I also feel like I tested my endurance, especially when cycling along the Sunset-Preston "trail" (which was actually a somewhat bumpy gravel road), and the High Point Way into Preston, which had several hills and not much shade (this was around 3-4 pm in the afteroon). :P

After meeting itsacz for dinner in Issaquah, I started back and had a pretty interesting experience going along the I-90 trail (with headlights, since it was dark by then) and then climbing up 148th Ave SE past BCC and heading straight home. I can't believe I cycled on the road and merged lanes successfully. :o

Among things I saw on the way there and back:
- An Aerio parked along Main Street (in Bellevue), which reminded me of someone's car quite a bit. :P
- There were several police cars parked in Issaquah outside a police station right next to a no-parking sign. >_> This also made it hard for me to cycle around them since there was oncoming traffic
- There are a lot of hills, especially on the way to the Lake Sammamish parkway.

Next time, I definitely need to start earlier. :P