Today's weather continues to be warm, but comfortable. Winds from the North West. I wore the standard kit + 1 base layer. Before the ride started, I adjusted my right cleat to see if I could get a better form dialed into the right leg. I got out feeling average. Didn't take me long before I was warmed up. I made it to the end of OTR a hair better than average. I decided to take it easy going out to WS. The wind was more of a cross tail. So, I wasn't getting the full advantage. While I was making my way out, I noticed that I had the sensation of the beginning of a bonk. I drank a bit of my Cytomax to see how I felt at the turn-around point. When I got there, I felt better and chose not to eat my power bar at that time. After turning around, I started modest and then kept moderate tempo to the summit. Making a kick over the top. Once over, I stretched and then made my way to the Banducci wall. The bonk sensation had subsided, but not all the way. I told myself to see how I feel when I reach Brite Lake. I was able to recover on the false flat. When I got to Brite Lake, I was feeling ok, so I decided to make my way to the summit. I did mostly moderate with a few good tempo bursts. After summiting, I decided to eat my power bar. I also refilled my bottle with Cytomax. I was also thinking about stopping at the SS mini mart to get more provisions as I was unsure what my body was going to do. After a few minutes break, I headed downhill. Practicing my tuck and negotiation traffic (from behind). The trek to SS was mostly moderate. I was able to hold a good pace over the top and keep the power down. The descent into SS was fun, also practicing my tuck. At this point, it became evident that I had enough provisions to last the remainder of the trip. I sped my way through SS and made my way back on Banducci. I was mostly doing moderate tempo, negotiating traffic. After making it to Pelliser, I slowed down, stretched, recovered and then lifted the pace just a bit. I was doing around 18MPH +/- 2 or 3. This was to be the case for the remainder of the flat lands. At this point, I noticed that my stomach was somewhat bloated. It was hard to tell what it was, but it felt mostly like gas. It never escalated, so no worries there, but it did give me incentive. The last climb was mostly moderate to good tempo with a kick over the top. The false flat immediately after started at a crawling pace. At that point, my left hip was getting sore, I stopped at the top of CVR to let it subside. It went away and did not persist. From there it was the negotiating of traffic on Route 202, fun and games down OTR, the kick over Mariposa and then home. My concentration was right on. Very few lapses. Balance and form felt better. I think the right cleat placement helped. I adjusted the cleat to have just a hair of heal out and a slightly wider stance. I felt better squared, more on this requiring a confirmation ride or two. The left cleat remains un-adjusted. Ailments consisted of some right hand numbness, left hip/muscle soreness, a hint of lower back soreness. Other notes, I got new handlebar tape by Fizik. It feels like a leather wrapped steering wheel. Not as much cushioning as the cork, but I think it'll do just fine. Hopefully last longer than the cork tape. My stomach was sore this morning, it took a while before it subsided and a few trips to the bathroom.

Other notes, I need to determine the right day for doing a tripple. I'm guessing in the next 5 to 7 days. The temperature seems to be getting better.