It warmed up today. Not too bad, in the low/mid 80's. Winds from the North West, turbulent in places. I wore the standard kit, arm coolers, 1 base layer. My Legs felt ok out the door. I think I was a bit sluggish going up OTR. Perhaps due to the hotter temperature. I made it to the end in average time. As I was making my way up Highline, I noticed that my speed was slower than usual. Turns out that the winds were turbulent on Banducci. As I was making my way out to WS, I noticed that the wind had shifted. I was going into a headwind for the majority outbound leg. With this being the case, I was thinking what was it going to be like at SS. I was set on having to go into a headwind on the way back. More about that later. I cruised my way down to WS. After reaching the turn-around point, I spared no time and headed back. The wind continued to prevail from the East at this point, so I had a boost going back. I was doing 18MPH+. I put in a push over the last few kickers. Somewhere over the summit and down to the base of Banducci, I noticed the wind had shifted again. Now I had a headwind going out to SS. I was tired when I reached the Banducci wall, I gave my body and mind a few moments to reacquire a tempo I could sustain to the top. I was in my 28T and 32T for most of the ascent. I then proceeded to the Alpine forest. I was keeping an eye on my body and surroundings. I was trying to find landmarks that I would find to the end of Arosa Drive. Turns out that there are 4 speed bumps just before the turn onto Lemans. My body was responding well today, my left hip didn't hurt. Once at the end of Arosa, I stopped to rest a few moments. I'm thinking this is where I want to take a break on the GranFondo. (A side note), it was difficult to release my left pedal. Such has been the case for the past few weeks. After resting, I continued my way to the summit. There's one steep section, just before the rolling descent. It goes on for a few hundred yards. That will be noted in my mind for the GranFondo. Once at the summit of Banducci, I stopped, refilled bottles, mixed Cytomax, stretched, let traffic by, then headed down. Mostly fun and games while practicing my tuck. I cruised my way out to SS. Mostly moderate tempo and mitigating traffic from behind. When I reached the SS front entrance, I pulled over a few hundred yards ahead to take photos of some cows grazing. It was a photographic moment I just couldn't resist. I made my way up the rear entrance doing moderate tempo. No digs over the top, within my limits, no maximal effort. Then I headed down, practicing my tuck, and stopped at the local park. I filled up my spare bottle with water. My intention was to use it as a backup if absolutely necessary. And use it to poor onto my body, which I did towards the last few miles of the ride. I did the usual push through SS, stretched on the bike just before exiting and then headed back down Banducci. It was slow tempo, mitigating traffic. Then Pelliser, starting modest and picked up the pace on the last half of the leg. I pushed it through Gaurodo (sp?) and Bailey. The stretch to the base of of the last climb was mostly moderate to easy tempo. Giving my body some time to recover. The last climb was no less than moderate, mostly good to high tempo. I put in a strong dig over the summit. Once over the summit, I almost came to a grinding halt from the brief maximal effort. On the false flat, I took a few moments to poor some water on my arm coolers and shorts, also on my back. It helped. Route 202 was traffic mitigation and the push to the left hand onto OTR. As is always, OTR was a welcome reprieve with fun and games. I did the push over Mariposa. Then home. Concentration was good for the most part. Minimal gremlins. I had a few lapses, but I wasn't coaching myself more often than not. Balance and form felt good, not great. My right leg just wasn't in that position squared over the pedals. Wondering if I should widen the stance on the cleat? Ailments were minimal, some hand soreness, right hand numbness, mild lower back soreness. Mild quad soreness. My neck continues to be sore while looking to the sides (most notably to the left). Not a hindrance, nor danger to mitigating traffic. Gear is working good. I need to tighten my headset as I can feel a slight knock if I hold the front break and rock the bike fore and aft. Other notes, I saw at least 4 other cyclists today.