December 27, 2011
Day 2
"I'm leaving early," I told Ralph, and it made all the difference. I rolled out with another "slow" rider about 30 minutes before the main group.
It was a beautiful morning! The sun was out and it was not long before I was peeling off arm warmers, even though it was a pretty high altitude and winter with some snow on the ground.
I rode up slow, spinning in my littlest gears, feeling nice and relaxed, enjoying the view and the sounds of hawks and a gentle breeze through the trees. Sunrise highway from Pine Valley to Julian is a nice ride with low traffic.
The group straggled up a little at a time, passing me in ones and twos, but by then I was near the top, or at least the top more or less, since he rest of the way to Julian was up and down.
It was there I met Nicki, who toured with my friends last summer. We rode into Julian for buffalo burgers and saw a lot of tourists eating apple pie and seeing the sights.
After lunch the miles began to take their toll and I began to hurt. I also ran into Ralph again and we struggle through the last 10 miles together, just like yesterday, though not quite as late. At least we made it before dark.
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Today's ride: 61 miles (98 km)
Total: 120 miles (193 km)
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