I tried to do some intervals Saturday but felt lousy. The weather was terrible, so I hung it up after about 90 minutes. Yesterday I had a lot of work to do, but today I decided to noodle around for a few hours, ride some favorite roads and even explore a little.

I finally tried one of the more challenging climbs around here (Pinewood Reservoir for those familiar with our area). I'd heard some horror stories, but honestly it wasn't bad. It's only about 3 miles at ~8% average gradient with some flat sections and others closer to 12%. There are lots of switchbacks and opportunities to see how far you've come. It was absolutely lovely, despite relatively cool and hazy conditions. The top arrived well before I expected it.

Even for a cautious descender like myself, it is a BLAST coming down! You can see past most corners to check for traffic, and even the tightest bends hold few surprises. And of course, there are those views to enjoy on the way down.

I can't wait to do it on a clear, sunny day when I'm inclined (pun intended) to take my camera.

Only ~60 miles, but still a memorable ride.