Today's weather was great! Cool, lower 70's and a breeze from the North West. I decided to go for a big ride today. It was the first time I used my extra water bottle holder (on the forks). It worked great, just as I wanted. My legs were slightly heavy to begin with, so I gave it some time to warm up. I was ready to go by the time I reached Route 202. From there, I did good tempo to the summit of Highline, then I put it into cruise control to Willow Springs. I knew I had a long ride ahead of me, so I saved my matches for later. I The first real climb of the day was just as I remembered it. It was a steady climb that go steeper at the very end. Suffice it to say, I burnt some matches on this climb. After summiting, I was able to cruise the downhill, recover for the next climb. Cameron Canyon was a brief climb with a 10% kicker in the end. It was a modest climb. The descent was fun and games. Mostly downhill to the 58 freeway. I was cautious on the brief moments crossing the 58 fwy. It didn't take too long to reach the other side. It was relatively safe today. The next stretch of road was one of the legs that I despise of all my routes. It seems like you're going on for ever and to add insult to injury, there's a strong headwind the entire way. Before embarking on that route, I stopped to swap out bottles from my extra mounted on the fork. I swapped the bottle cap because I like the wider one that was on the cytomax bottle I used first. I put my head down, and tried not to think to much about the dismal road ahead. I was elated when I reached Willow Springs. After making it to Highline, I stopped, ate a powerbar and then continued the last major leg of the ride. It was a headwind today, so I had to keep my tempo moderate as to not blow up. I saved one of my matches for the last kicker over Highline. From there, it was moderate tempo, cruise control to OTR. OTR was a welcome reprieve. I put in a moderate dig over Mariposa and cruised the rest of the way home. Concentration was very good today. Few lapses. I was in the zone for the most part. Ailments were minimal. Some mild soreness in the lower back. Slight numbness in the right hand. A hint of right calf soreness. Mild knee pain at the end of the ride. Quad soreness. None of which was enough to impede my progress. Balance and form felt good. Gear is working well. The water bottle holder that I bought is going to work great on my future ride. The provisions were enough to last me this ride, but anymore and I would have needed a fourth bottle. Other notes, I saw 2 other cyclists. I copied some music to my walkman, but I didn't like it. The only downside of my ride today.