Motorcycle Madness

Today's ride started off in Winters, home of the 2008 Vernal Equinox Ride -- hundreds of motorcycle riders cruising up and down the same roads that we struggled up and down, and then when we returned to Winters, they were all there. It was great. And mostly, they were considerate and courteous on the difficult-to-navigate mountain roads.



The ride was hard, but compared to last week's ride it Napa, it went fairly quickly. Three big hills and some smaller ones. Plus, we had a rest stop that one of our crew members provided. A welcome sight after coming down off the fabled "Cardiac Hill." The first 22 miles I rode with a small group of folks who are all strong cyclists, and all having a good time. Like last week, the best part of the ride was that we covered the same roads on parts of the AIDS ride last year, so there were some good memories, and a great comparison. I think I'm stronger this year than I was, at least on Day One, last year.
But after that, I wasn't really feeling like riding with the group was in my plan for the day. So I stopped at the rest stop, gave some high five's to the folks coming in, and headed back on my own. It was a cold ride, and I had no one to block the wind, but I found my groove and made my way back up the hills. And down again.
I hit 39 mph at one point, which is a little faster than I'm comfortable with, but this week has been good for pushing past my comfort zones.

This time of year is always frustrating -- aside from the sneezing -- it's gorgeous and sunny and tempting outside, so I take the bait and go out, and it's cold. Only a little bit longer and the temps will be up, and the wind will die down, and the promise of a gorgeous warm day, will deliver.

Next weekend we're back off to Folsom for another ride in the foothills.