Thanks! That looks good. Any ideas on where to rent a bike? Any advice for riding the route? Traffic issues, time of day, road conditions etc? It may be the local beginner climb, but it will be the biggest thing I have gone up in 20 years. No ego here, I need beginner.

Chandne, that is a most gracious and kind offer. But I doubt you would be following me, unless you gave me an hours head start. The ride should be short enough to do in 4 hours at a very slow pace. I doubt I will get any more time free from family obligations. I also doubt I will survive a longer ride my first time out. It should include some sort of view or milestone so that I can say "hey, I rode there!" and there was something else tangible about the ride besides my sore legs.