The weather has cleared up since the recent snow flurries. I decided to go to the Alpine Forest. Winds were from the South East. Temperature around 40 something. I wore the standard winter kit. The legs felt pretty good to start. I made it to the summit of OTR in good time. The Banducci Wall had some traffic mitigation. I was near max going over the top. I felt better when I reached the Arosa climb. It went as usual. I was doing in and out of the saddle efforts to keep my momentum going. I had a moderate headwind on the way up. I didn't bother checking my HR at the top, but it felt like near maximum. I made my way around the backside. When I reached Alps drive, I noticed some slush in the road. So, I played it very safe. Some of the slush was ice, so I had to dismount and walk on those places. A patrol vehicle stopped next to me to warn me of the conditions. Suffice it to say, I made it out of there with no mishaps. The only drawback was the ice got into my cleats, so I had to let them melt. That meant riding without being clipped in. Fortunately, most of the remainder was downhill. After reaching the Banducci summit, I headed back without hesitation. Around this time, the ice in my cleats melted and I was able to click in. My left inner hip was getting sore, so I had to adjust my cadence and adjust my leg warmer to relieve pressure. by the time I made it back to the Banducci Wall, the pain subsided. Descending off the Banducci Wall was mostly safe. I feathered the brakes and let traffic by when I could. Descending off OTR was relaxing. I pushed over Mariposa and then the dig to the top of Weston where I shut it down.

Concentration was good. I was in the zone most of the time. I stayed cool while in the Alpine Forest ice patches. No gremlins worth mentioning. Balance and form was good. Ailments, the left hip as I was making my way off Banducci but eventually subsided. The hands were sore here and there. Nutrition was good. I had a bowl of oatmeal and half a banana and some grapes for breakfast. I had a few grapes and a slice of a plantain before the ride. Gear worked flawlessly. The disk brakes saved my but in one place as I was approaching an ice patch, I was able to brake in time. Other notes, no cyclists, but there was a walker and other casuals.