Ground finally dried and drained enough where riding on trails was not a problem. Still a little soft in the open field areas (such as around 10.8) but not wet. This was first time all three OGs rode together this year. Legs were actually fine; cardio is and will be an issue for awhile, but it didn't really hamper things today. Had to stop briefly on the Col du CoolSpring (6.5) to let the heart rate come down AND let the riding companions disappear. That's a strategy to fool the brain into not comparing ascending speed with others -- if you can't see them you can't see yourself falling behind. Temps were ... ok. Fifties and windy; being in the woods and stream valleys helped. Far cry from last week's three days of summer. Layers! Trails are in pretty good shape, even with all the wind. Had one downed tree to clamber over; a few smaller branches that were not total blockers. Average speed was waaaay too fast for March. w/Mark, Dan