Today was one of those "WTF" days. I had my sights set on WS + Keene. I knew it was going to be warm. I got up from my nap at around 11:30AM. Got suited up. While getting my gear on, I pulled a muscle in my lower back. No clue why, it just gave way. It wasn't serious, but could have been a game changer for the ride. I took a few moments to access the situation. I figured, I'd just go. See if the back would get better. I forgot to put my walkman on charge, so I charged it while getting my stuff together. It ended up giving out later in the ride. I got out, thinking about my back. It was sore, no surprise. I had a feeling that it might get better as the ride went on. And that, it did. It lingered, but wasn't completely detracting from my pace. It started to feel better by the time I reached the end of OTR. Somewhere in that part of the ride, I realized I forgot to bring my Power Bar. I thought for a few moments and decided to stop when I reached the end of OTR, to phone home and have mom bring a power bar to the mail locker. No one answered the phone, so I rode to the top of Highline. Called home, mom answered, and I explained the situation. We were to meet when I got back to the lockers. After getting off the phone. At some point, shortly after, I noticed my rear tire had its tread warn into the inner casing. It wasn't bulging. When I reached the end of Highline. I called home, explained the situation. Mom was to bring more stuff. I ended up calling one more time to ask for refreshments (aka, water). I made my way back. Minding the ailing back. It was sore, but feeling better. And, felt better on the bike than off. I was constantly thinking about Keene, saving matches, at that. After reaching the lockers, I met up with mom, changed a new tire. Got provisions and such. I departed shortly after. About 200 yards later, the rear tire blew out. The tire I put on, was the defective one. No clue why I kept it. Plan 'B'. I put on the original tire, rode to the top of WTR and met up with mom for the second time. It gave me time to assess my ailments and overall feeling in the legs. I was feeling fatigued, being out in the sun and having to re-warmup a few times. After meeting up with mom at the summit, I quickly changed out the tire and headed down to Keene. Mostly moderate, just keeping the legs warm. When I reached the base, I put some music on my Smart Phone and then headed back. The legs were feeling heavy. They got better, but the I realized I was running out of provisions. At around the Loop Monument, I had to ration what I had. By the time I reached the summit, I was all out. A sigh of relief, as I had just a few miles, downhill (mostly). Concentration was fairly good. All things considered. Ailments were mitigate-able. Lower back soreness, the feet were sore, I think some numbness in the hand. towards the end of the last climb, I started to get the shivers. Signs of dehydration. Balance and form was the lesser of things. I have to inspect the cleats and adjust as necessary. Gear is working well. The headset made a knocking sound when I was out of the saddle, going up OTR. Adjustments possibly required. Other notes, I saw about 5 other cyclists.

Other notes, The HR was unusually high on the last half of the Keene climb. Also, likely a sign of dehydration.