The smoke has let up a bit. Better than the previous ride. I decided to do a reconnaissance ride up WS Blvd. I wanted to see what the condition of the road was and how the overall feel of it. I had lab today, so I got out about one hour late. I don't think it made much of a difference. The temperature was a bit on the warm side, but the wind was cool. There's still smoke in the air and you can smell it. This made for a good relaxing day. I made it to the summit of OTR in average time. (I wasn't hurrying). The trek to WS was mostly modest tempo. After reaching WS, I made a left turn and proceeded to Tehachapi Blvd. The road conditions were as I remembered it. There's some patches of rough tarmac. But, there were some smooth patches on either side. The wind was from the North. The freeway bridge gradient was about 3 to 4% and lasts just a few hundred yards. The way back was mostly the same. Some rough patches, with smooth tarmac on either side. I had a tailwind on the way back. The return trip from Highline was mostly moderate tempo. There was a mild headwind. I was averaging 15 MPH. After reaching the summit, I made my way back down and to OTR. It was mostly fun and games from there. Concentration was good. My mind was occupied. Balance and form was good. Ailments, next to none. Maybe some cardio soreness from the wild fire smoke. Gear worked perfect. Nutrition was good. No hunger signs. I went through about half my Gatorade. No water. Other notes, I saw about 4 cyclists today.