Well, today was the longest ride this year. In preparation for the GranFondo Century. The weather was in the upper 70's, but got hotter as the day went on. Winds starting from the North West. Changing directions from time to time. I wore the standard kit, arm coolers, base layer. Today's ride was to help gauge my bike fit, legs, ailments, gear and such. I got out about the time I planned. Around 9:45ish. My legs felt a bit sluggish to start, average at best. I had a long day ahead, so I knew they might come around later on in the ride. I made my way out to the end of OTR in average time. Somewhere around this time, I realized I forgot to take my cytomax powder to mix with my watter bottle later in the ride. I decided not to turn around, I knew I could make it on 1 bottle of Cytomax, lots of water and a Power Bar if needed. I adjusted my cleats yesterday. I added a different size shim to bring the left cleat square, it was convex when I checked it. This helped with respect to clipping out of the pedal. I set the stance about 2 or 3 milimeters inward. I could feel a difference in the way the left shoe was interacting with the pedal. While out of the saddle, sometimes I felt a lateral rocking sensation instead of an arc motion. I need another ride to confirm. So, I made my way out on Highline. The wind was modest at this point. It took me longer to reach the 1 mile summit as I did not have a significant tail wind. I cruised my way to WS. Just getting ready for what lay ahead. The first climb. I felt sluggish. I just didn't get that on top of the pedal feeling. I held back for a few, letting my body adjust. As I was reaching the last mile of the climb, my body started to come around just a bit. I was thinking about how much do I want to put into this climb for the TGF ride. I figured this would be my warmup section. So, I don't want to go into the red if I don't have to. I'll be using my 32T if need be, letting people by, trying not to let my ego get in the way. I made it to the summit and stopped. I took a few moments to check my cleats. I noticed that my right cleat was set just a bit more than the left. So, I adjusted it and then headed downhill. I was careful on the downhill. Staying to the right side and keeping the speed less than 25MPH. When the traffic cleared, I was able to descend faster and enter the Cameron Canyon Road. I knew this climb was short, but I wanted to see how it felt in the legs. The climb is short, but gets steep. Around 9%+ in some places. I had to use my 32T. The legs felt good, not great. Once over the small climb, I was able to have fun on the downhill and make my way to the 58 Fwy. The wind shifted, going West at this point. So the freeway juncture was quick. When I reached Sand Canyon, I called mom and dad to meet me at this corner after doing the 5 mile in/out. (This was planned). The climb up Sand Canyon was pleasant. Although there was more traffic than i anticipated, the drivers were courteous, as I was to them. When I began the climb, I forgot to check my mileage to see how far I had to go (about 5 miles out and back). I made a guess and tried to recall the land marks. I think I got it right on the money. The miles went real fast on this leg of the ride. I was in and out in no time. The winds were forgiving. I met up with mom and dad as planned. Refilled my bottles, ate a Power Bar, pored some extra water onto my arms, legs and back. Shortly after, I headed back West. I was lucky that the wind happened to shift Westerly at this part of the ride. I was in and out of Teh Blvd. in no time. Highline return was more of the same. a tailwind most of the way back. The wind shifted Easterly when I got to the Banducci wall. I was tired, but my legs were responding well. I took my time up the wall. Trying to keep my cadence brisk and on top of the pedals, out of the saddle. I was near maximum over the wall. Next came the Alpine Forest. I have landmarks in my mind for this climb. There are 4 speed bumps about 2 miles up the climb. They are spaced about 200-300 yards apart. The last of which is about 20 or 30 yards from the right turn onto Lemans. At this point, I was keeping an eye on my body signals. My lower back was a bit sore, left hip somewhat, right calf somewhat. I stopped. Shook my legs massaged some, hydrated, and then went on. The last part of the Alpine forest was that 1/4 mile kicker. I put it into my 32T and clawed my way up. Tempo, nice and steady. From that point, it was the rollers and then down to the summit of Banducci. I took a few moments break, refilled bottles, hydrated, stretched, etc. At this point, I was keeping an eye on my mileage. I knew it was going to be close to 70 miles in the end. I had something left for the SS loop. But decided against it as this was not part of the plan. So, I headed downhill, tuck and all, and headed across the farm-lands. The miles ticked over quickly. I kept a nice tempo going. Not in the red, but not resting on my laurels either. I made it to the last climb with some matches remaining. I continued to monitor my milage. I noticed that this was going close to 70 miles. So, I put in my mind, that if I was around 68 miles at Weston, that I would climb WTR summit to get that last few miles in. I was able to hold a good tempo going up the last climb. My legs were a bit sore, but responding well. My breathing and heart rate was around the sweet spot. I kept the power down over the summit, then took a few moments break, ate a power bar, rehydrated, stretched, then continued. I stretched throughout the false flat and made my way to Route 202. Route 202 was a relaxed pace, mitigating traffic, then to OTR. OTR was a welcome relief. At this point, my mileage was going to be around 2 to 3 miles short if I went straight home. So I decided at this point, I would climb WTR. As I was making my way up WTR, the wind was a headwind. The first kicker didn't hurt as much as when I first get out the door for a ride to Keene. I pushed my body just a bit to see how it would respond. When I reached the summit, my legs started to show signs of soreness. I turned around and headed back. About 1/4 from Weston, I saw that I was going to be about a half or a quarter mile short. So, I made a quick right onto White Pine and added some extra few tenths. I then made my way back. Turned out to be a 70+ mile ride. Just what I wanted at this stage of my training. Concentration felt good today. I think getting up early helped. I was in the zone for most of the ride. I was able to remain relaxed and not to vain about getting every inch out of it. Some gremlins, but just a few hints here and there. Mostly benign. Balance and form was odd. My left cleat feels a bit off. Getting out of the saddle causes a weird rocking motion if the angle of my heal is wrong. More confirmation and last minute adjustments needed in the last few rides. Ailments were good for the most part. I had some knee soreness that was mild, muscle fatigue, hand soreness, feet soreness, lower back soreness, some right calf signs of cramping, left hip mild soreness. All of which never escalated and was mitigated by stopping, stretching and adjusting the position on the bike while riding. Gear is working well. I forgot to format the card before the ride. Last night, I did a battery check and put over 6.5 hours of recording onto it. So, I think I lost around 45 to 60 minutes of footage on this ride. The extra bottle holder was giving me problems. I had to stop a few times to adjust it. Good thing I'm not taking it on the TGF ride. Other notes, I saw about 5 cyclists today.