The days

They are flying by. Incredible how time passes. Already done with a week of 3 here in the South. House is going well, lessons to be learned from a few on general living skills, but hey. Everyone has gotta learn sometime. Wicked ride today. One of those rides with some weightless legs, great weather and not enough time. It was quite honestly everything I could do mentally to not really push myself on the climbs or take a particular left hand turn (up the wicked Highlands climb) and hold myself to only my planned 5 hours. Hit near 17 degrees down by the lake, but with some stiff winds. Rode up through the valley, hooked up with some of the camp kids for a few kms before setting back off on my own up Whitewater Falls climb/Devil's Staircase. A solid 40 minutes or so of climbing (though I did allow myself some tempo on the steep final pitches of Devil's Staircase) allowed me to discover both how much I had climbed and as well (by association how much colder it was at this new altitude). Close to 6 degrees to be exact. Found myself quite glad to be my usual somewhat overdressed self. Kept on going for what is definitely one of the most scenic and beautiful loops around. Followed the road up some more into Cashiers, and then again a little more up all the way to Sapphire. Did stop on the edge of Cashiers to take advantage of a nice looking coffee shop for a cappuccino and a massive maccadamia nut/white chocolate cookie. Well worth the $3. Back on the road, and into the headwind for some descending and rollers all the way home. Just danced along the pedals, iPod picking out some well suited tunes, working hard to stay in my zones (not the harder pace my legs were craving) and enjoy the sun. Busted out some more bbq action tonight as well with some more homemade fries and good vino to end off a solid day. Almost time for a grocery run however. I figure I should be able to last a few more days anyways before I'm out of fruits and veggies. Really find myself wishing I had brought my camera today. I will now fully have to do this ride again. Luckily the weather seems to call for sun, the plan for plenty of miles, and the legs cry for pain.