D'Emonda. Gray, cloudy and damp, cold @ 32-34 degrees, East winds @ 7-8 mph. Had to alter the route as the Great Western paved trail from Lily Lake to Wasco was totally snow and ice covered, so I did some extra miles in Lily Lake, Elburn and Cortland at the finish to hit my planned 40 miles. A hard ride with the wind and dense humid air (plus all the clothes). Did a few stomps and sprints to mix it up. Dressed just right, only my hands were cold for the first 30-45 minutes (normal). Short sleave and long sleave merino base layers, Bontrager jacket with the pit zips open, Rapha bibs, 2 layers of socks with 3 toe warmers on each foot, JFW boots, ear covers, 45 North shells with Minus 33 merino base layer and Forclaz merino thin layer underneath. Last ride of 2021 - what a year! Record miles - 8,748 miles, record # with 252 rides - averaged almost 5 days a week, 590 hours riding, ~290,000 feet climbing and over 4,660 pictures posted. Amazing I did all those miles without any century rides. I'll be Shooting for 9,000 miles in 2022.