DAY 3 Ride — Thirty Was Her Plan 🚴‍♀️ Day three started in Saltillo, Mississippi, with a lake behind us and yesterday’s miles still living in everybody’s legs.

Julissa knew her number before we rolled out: thirty miles. Not fifty. Thirty. And she didn’t say it like she was asking permission. She said it like somebody who knew exactly what she had in the tank. Little Kevin gave the whole morning report in one word: “Vamos!” Joshua was quiet-ready, which means almost ready but not interested in making a speech about it. Fifty miles were on the plan, and today’s fifty felt kinder than yesterday’s sixty-four. We started at 82 degrees, which in Mississippi almost counts as air conditioning. We settled into a paceline early. Joshua took the first pull. Little Kevin tucked in behind him, and the group found a steady rhythm around 17 mph. Then just before lunch, Julissa moved to the front. Remember, thirty was her number. But apparently that did not mean hiding in the back. She pulled the group smooth and steady, like she had done it a hundred times. That stuck with me. A young person who can say, “This is my limit,” and still lead inside that limit? That’s not weakness. That’s wisdom. Lunch was careful because yesterday taught us that overeating mid-ride has consequences. I told myself I had learned that lesson for good. Then the food showed up, and apparently I needed continuing education. 😄 The history stops hit different today. The kids asked to pull over and read the markers. At the Sunken Trace, we walked a path worn down by centuries of feet, hooves, wagons, and weather. History wasn’t behind glass. It was under our shoes. Final numbers: 15 mph average, 27 mph top speed, 3:23:43 ride time. Faster, easier, and steadier than yesterday. But the number I’ll remember is thirty. If you’ve supported Triangle Bikeworks, you helped fund more than miles. You helped fund a young person knowing herself well enough to lead. Julissa’s next thirty miles start with you: trianglebikeworks.org 🚴‍♀️❤️