So, today was the "Big one"...

I got up around 6AM. I went through the usual checklist till I was ready to shove off. Everything went as planned. I made it to the parking lot around 8:30-ish AM. The lot was full! Fortunately, I was able to squeeze into a parking spot without causing too much hazard. When I assembled my bicycle, I noticed that I forgot the inflation kit! I was sure I brought it, but it wasn't so. I decided to bring an extra CO2 cartridge should I get a flat. Hoping that someone would lend me their tire pump or CO2 inflator. After getting all my stuff ready. I took some photos of the car and then shoved off. My back has been bothering me the past week. It felt good today. It took a while to get warmed up. I was good to go by the time I reached the major climb. I approached it just as I planned. Very modest and let the HR rise naturally, instead of aggressively. As I was reaching the steeper slopes, I was thinking, "I could use more compact gears". Such was so, but just for this climb. I think I stopped twice during the ascent to take photos. I acquired a smartphone signal nearing the upper slopes. I was able to send a text message and use the FordPass app. Location / lock worked. After reaching the summit, I pulled over as I reached the other side of the mountain. I fed one Clif Bar with water. I took some photos, then headed down into the valley floor. The ride to the opposite side was slightly rolling hills with a tailwind. The scenery was both expansive, breathtaking yet a bit desolate. After reaching the other side of the valley, I had to decide how far to go. The legs were fatigued, but I was limited by my provisions more than anything. I went through one Gatorade bottle and some water. I planned to keep going till I consumed the remainder of the Gatorade in the first bottle. I must have climbed over a mile before deciding to turn around. I turned around just as the road gradient went into the double digits. The return through the valley was into a headwind, but with modest downhill sections. I was focusing my attention to the return climb. I needed enough matches to make it back up. The plan was to get to the summit and feed another Clif Bar. The climb was as difficult as I recalled. Most of the climb was in the double digit gradients. I was near my limit and energy stores running low. I was able to make it to the planned stop. I fed a Clif Bar with water. All the while, I stayed concentrated. From here it was mostly modest uphill till the major descent off the mountain. I was thinking, I didn't get a flat tire, so chances I would make it back without problems. This whole time, I was riding towards the center of the road where there there is less debris. The descent was a treat. A bit dangerous, so I was having to stay concentrated. After reaching the base, I calculated that it would be 15 to 20 minutes back to the car. No hurrying. I got the workout I needed. The usual anxiety of the car being where I left it, intact, was minimal, but of course present. Suffice it to say, all was well. I did a cooldown of about 5 to 10 minutes, just rolling around the parking lot. I stopped the GPS and gadgets. End of ride. Concentration was good. The location has minimal habitation and natural landscape made for a therapeutic sensation. Minimal lapses. I was able to keep calm with respect to the lack of my inflation kit. Balance and form was good. I felt centered on the saddle. I lowered the saddle height by about a bit, with the rationale that it would ease the back muscles. I think I got it right. Nutrition was spot on. I had enough provisions, fluids and food. Gear worked flawless. Ailments, mostly the sensation of exhaustion, some hand soreness. Arm soreness on the big descents. My right knee is hinting on soreness, ever so slight. Other notes, the cars parked had bike racks, so there was a small group of riders out there. I never crossed paths. There were two other cyclists as I was nearing completion. The car lot was empty, except one vehicle (presumably from the cycling duo).

Other notes, I forgot to bring my wallet. I realized this when I got back from the ride. Will have to add that to the list of carry on's.

Other notes... The music I was listening to definitely helped. Inspirational even!