Ok, this was an unusually windy day. While staying with the host, Mike, I , and hosts discussed the possibility of cancelling or abandoning the ride due to the 20-25mph winds that were predicted. That sort of windspeed would make the descent off Lemmon a challenge. randoplan estimated 240 minutes lost to wind, 4 hrs, which would make it almost impossible to finish on time. We continued on with the event and had ~10 riders at the start. Sabino was gorgeous as always, then it was time for Lemmon. As we approached Lemmon, I told myself, just hang on to Mike, Lee, Stephen, and Paul until milepost 2! That would be a victory. Well that milepost came and I was ok. So how about mp 3. Still ok. Let's try 4, etc. That continued all the way to Windy Point, MP 15. Finally at MP 16 I eased off, over half way up! I was very happy with that climb. Finally sort of solo, yet in sight of Lee. Mike was ahead of him a bit and Stephen was out of sight. Paul turned around at Windy Pt. Then Summerhaven was reached at mp 25. Now it was time to get serious with the clmb up to Ski Valley & the ultimate climb up to Sky Center! That was steep and slow, yet I just plodded on! Then in the last 0.7 miles down the hill from Sky Center comes Stephen and a bit later Mike. I had caught Lee right up at Sky Center! Awesome. Now into Summerhaven and down into Marshal Gulch. Well that road was all torn out and we talked to a sheriff and she said we (lee and I) could ride on down on the dirt road. On way back there was Mike and Stephen heading down to the gulch. They had stopped at the restaurant in Summerhaven for a bit. Now for the careful descent down Lemmon. I was careful and slowed down on every corner or anywhere the landscape changed in shape or rocks or coverage as never sure about the wind. MP 10 & 5 were a bit scary as hit with wind. But we all made it down and all 4 of us were at McDonald's. Mike and Stephen were finishing up as Lee and I arrived. Then a nice loop inside Saguaro NP east and then run to home! I was very happy with my climbing today, although my legs were tired!