Had such a great ride yesterday that the feeling got the best of me. Wanted to repeat that wonderfulness again today. So I planned a loop in my head, without looking too close at a map or anything smart, besides I knew it all, just never ridden it all together. Just packed up my bike and went for it.

views in every direction

The first 20 miles fly by on smooth level pavement. I feel great, the bike is smooth and fast, the air is warm and calm. I hit dirt, turn south and for the first time notice the wind. The crunching gravel, the rolling climbs and the wind make me suddenly feel like I am dragging an anchor behind me. Damn what happened to that glorious feeling of flying that was my company yesterday? Still I crank the pedals, even trying to throw in a few hard efforts here and there. Then I really feel it, the hot lead filling up my legs, the tired-lack-of-punch deadness of feeling a bit cooked. The clock is ticking, the low November sun getting lower, I have no time for going slow.

La Garitas

snow…and mud

I try and keep a good pace, I try and hammer the hills. Oh it aches, it hurts, my heart rate bounces all over the place. I feel that “damn I suck” feeling welling up. Why am I such a putz, such a wimp? Why does doubt always challenge me in these moments? With things like the TD in my head I am ashamed at being this easily fatigued. “Suck it up Buttercup” I tell myself, get after this Now! The sun is casting huge shadows, hiding behind the dark timber. I climb the last few steep little climbs, I eat my last morsel of food, put on my reserve layers and point it home. Somehow I manage to keep the throttle mashed all the way home. Standing up out of the saddle, giving it all I have, racing the setting sun. Tired, cold and drained from the day I arrive at home. The GPS tells me it was 66.6 miles today,,,hmm, no wonder. Despite feeling low and slow I managed to average 12.4 mph…Ok, Ok, I can live with that!

still have 15 miles to home….