So if we're really gonna ride 30 miles of dirt on the annual MoCo Epic in October, then we gotta get some peeps used to riding that distance. This is a good start. And other than 1,000 feet or so of pavement at 10.3 and another 1000 feet at 23.8, it's alllllll dirt. And dirt miles? Those are worth about 1.75 pavement miles, so this was a good 40+ mile ride if you're the shaved-leg crew. At 16.8 we turned south on the infamous "power lines" trail, which, yes, is an official trail though not one of our favorites. We haven't ridden this stretch in three years and it didn't take long to remember why. It's out in the open, the trail is mostly grass and there are some ungodly stream crossings including one with a full on swamp that left bits of vegetation hanging from spoke nipples. We're good until 2028. Otherwise it was a lovely day, with temps in the 80s (reasonable summer has returned!) and low humidity. Body held up pretty well -- all those longer roadie rides clearly helped. Completed all the climbs without needing to stop or rest; had no trouble keeping up with companions. They did run out of gas around 23 and the last three miles were a bit of a death march for them -- one with potential cramps and the other just dead tired. One isn't retired and is unable to ride as much right now; the other is retired and needs more reps. Thus the training ride ...