Today's weather was cooler than previous. In the low 80's, winds from the North West. I wore the standard kit, arm coolers, and one base layer. My legs felt pretty good from the start. I cruised it to the top of the descent. Trying to gauge the body for the remainder of the ride. I felt good, but the big climb awaits. I soft-pedaled for most of the descent, out of the saddles on the risers. I wanted to get to the climb, so I was anxious to get to the base. Once there, I made my way back without a moments rest. The heat was less than the previous Keene ride. I felt better, but I think the lack of heat had to do with it. I knew where the tough parts were, I had to hold back just a bit to get there. I think I got it right when I got there. When I made it over the Loop Monument, I knew the tough part was behind me. Good for the morale and easier to make milestones up ahead. After making it to the second downhill riser, I was able to stretch and hydrate. The remainder of the climb was just practicing being in the moment. I made it to the top in one piece, no serious ailments, again good for the morale. I stopped for a few moments, hydrated what was left of my bottles, pored some plain water on my arm coolers and shorts. The cooling effect felt good while making my way back to the mail lockers. Once there, I swapped bottles and didn't spare another moment to commence. My legs had cooled off, so it took me a mile or two to get them back to where they were. OTR wasn't too bad. The heat was within my tolerances. I did the usual, milestone checks. When I reached the end of OTR, I wasn't paying attention to my time, but more of what I had left. I had good signals from the body (no ailments), so I headed down Highline without a moments rest. The mile climb felt a bit more sluggish, but I was able to hold a tempo and keeping the momentum going. There was some construction going on, but both lanes were open, so I didn't have to stop for traffic. The trip to WS was nice. The wind was somewhat mild, so I knew the return trip wasn't going to be too bad. Another good for the morale moments. The return trip back on Highline wasn't too bad, I was just focusing on form and being as efficient as possible. The wind was there, but it wasn't as bad as other days. I kept looking at the last risers from the distance, knowing that it wasn't going to take much time to get there. And the fact that this was going to be the last difficult section of the ride. I was able to push it over the top, I was near maximum. Once over, a sigh of relief, and a few moments respite, recover, and hydrate. I made my way back to OTR. Mostly enjoying the downhill. The usual push over Mariposa and then back home. Concentration... It was there and then it wasn't. It was difficult to get it into a lock down, zoned in state. Yes gremlins, but still, I think I should have been able to get there. My mind was drifting. I was fortunate to be able to coach my way through. The Walkman helped a bit. Letting the miles tick over just a bit faster. I could talk so much more about this experience, but I'm not sure I could put the context into perfect sense. Suffice it to say, concentration was the lesser of things today. Ailments were minimal, I think a hint of soreness in the left hip as I made the Keene summit. After that, it was the usual exhaustion, hand soreness, and stretching of the back. Balance and form felt good. I'm liking the new cleat stance adjustment. One of the greater things on this ride. Gear is working well, no mishaps. Other notes, I don't think I saw any cyclists today, some walker / runners though. There's construction on Highline, but was noted, both lanes are open to traffic.