Yipee! It's about time I did this ride, in a while. I think it's been at least 2 weeks since I've been able to do the entire Tour de Teh ride. Today's weather was cold, but comfortable. Winds from the North West. I wore the standard winter kit, I probably could have gone without my long sleeve jersey base layer. Nevertheless, I was comfortable for the entire duration. I felt average at the start. It's been a while since I've done this route with a headwind on the way out. So, OTR felt a bit more difficult than usual. By the time I reached Route 202, I was ready to do a battle. Banducci felt like it usually does, challenge up the wall and steady tempo from there to the summit. The descent was fun and games. I let one car pass me so that I could do my tuck form on the steepest section. I did moderate tempo going out to SS. Good tempo here and there. The climb into SS was as I remembered it, increases in gradient all the way to the entrance. The last few hundred yards put me into high tempo. I stopped for a moment at the summit and sprayed some water on my cleats and pedals as they were making some squeaking noises.
It seemed to do the trick. Given the wind conditions, this part of the ride feels your making forward progress, unlike head/cross wind conditions. The descent was fun and games. I think I made it to the tunnel in just over an hour. After exiting SS, I put it into steady, moderate and high tempo all the way to the last climb. The last climb was more enjoyable than the previous outings. I was able to hold good tempo with a kick over the summit. As usual, I recovered over the false flats. Upon reaching route 202, it was fun and games. I negotiated traffic, as usual. Making the left hand prep by getting into traffic, sprinting followed by the immediate left hand turn. After that point, I was able to cruise it to Mariposa. I pushed it over the brief riser. After that, cruise control all the way back to the door-step. Concentration was spot on. Almost no traces of gremlins. It was a good day for concentration! Balance and form came along nicely. I had a good sense of balance where I normally feel challenged, such as through Banducci on the return. Ailments consisted mostly of mild lower back soreness. My right knee is a bit sore. Has been for a day or two. I think it was agrivated from my weight training. While training, I felt some soreness doing squats. I stopped immediately after that happened. Gear is working great. Squeaks only from the lack of cleanliness. Other notes, no other cyclists today.