As was planned, I chose to do a big ride today. I decided to head out to SS instead of WS. It was a bit cold in the morning, but warmed up as the ride progressed. I wore knees, arms and a head cap. I put a page of newspaper in the front of my jersey. It worked like a charm, keeping me extra warm. I stashed two bottles, a Clif Bar and my arm coolers in the mail locker. From there, it was game on. The legs felt pretty good to start. I made it to the summit of OTR in good average time. The Banducci Wall had minimal traffic mitigation. It was a measured effort. The Alpine Forest was more of the same. It went quick. The body was getting warmed up and the legs were good. I had enough in reserve going over the top. I zipped around the back side of the Alpine Forest. Reaching 41+MPH on the first dip. After reaching the summit of Banducci, I did a quick assessment. I checked the GoPro battery, it retained its charge at 98%. I checked a few other things and then headed down the mountain. It was mostly safe as the wind was mild and not turbulent. I made my way through the farmlands to SS. After reaching the entrance, I used that segment to stretch and let the legs recover. I made my way around the backside and then into the descent leading to SS. I put in a quick sprint to get some speed going. Fun and games. I passed the Tunnel in about 1:17 hours. I passed through SS, I disposed the newspaper that I stashed in my jersey after removing it at the summit of OTR. It worked great. Definitely was try that again when the weather is similar. From there, I headed through the farmlands. Doing moderate tempo. The wind was minimal. Aiding my tempo a bit. I stopped at a porta-potty in the farmlands to bio and got back on the road just as quick. I don't recall the exact time when I reached Boss Hogs, but I think I gave up 10 minutes getting there. The CV climb went well. The legs were still responsive. I kept the tempo going over the top.. I decided to wait till I got to the top of WTR to feed. I used the false flat to recover doing moderate tempo. Route 202 had some traffic mitigation, so I let traffic by before the left turn onto OTR. OTR was mostly fun and games. A segment to assess my fatigue. The legs were feeling it, to be expected. I pushed over Mariposa and made my way to the mail locker. After making it there, I swapped out my bottles. Stashed my arm and knee warmers and put on my arm coolers. Shortly after, I headed back on the road. The legs were a bit fatigued but had plenty left for the last climb. When I reached the summit of OTR, I pulled over to feed a Clif Bar. I chugged some sport drink and water to go with it. I got back on the road as to keep the legs from getting too cold. I cruised the downhill and put in two digs on the risers. The legs were sore on the first riser, so the second was less intensive. As I was descending, the water truck was on its way up. I was thinking if I could beat it before it headed back. After reaching the base, I headed back, no stopping. As I was nearing the end of the Gauntlet, I noticed that the water truck was still there, so I was doing good time. The landmarks went quick. Something about a big ride that makes things seem less significant to me. The morale was getting better with every passing landmark. I let the intensity come to me instead of making it on my own. I was at max over the top. After making it to the summit, I took a few moments to recover and made my way back to the mail locker. I grabbed my stash and headed back home. I shut it down after reaching the top of Weston. Concentration was good. The morale felt good to start. I had a few things to think about, but I was mostly in the zone without too much coaching. Balance and form was good. Ailments, some hand numbness on the Keene climb. Doing the usual in the saddle hand shake did the trick. The legs were fatigued towards the end of the ride, but no cramping. Nutrition was good. I fed before feeling hungry. Gear worked flawless. I adjusted the limiting settings on the front derailleur yesterday. It seems to have dialed in, pending a few more rides to confirm. Other notes, I saw three cyclists today. There were a few spectators at the Loop Monument. The motorcyclists were friendly. Giving me wave and nods.