I had a really nice ride last night as after the CM ride had to head west across the city to help my friends out with their tandem... they are a wonderful young couple and my friend D has been wanting to get back into riding but needed a functioning tandem as without it and her seeing eye captain and husband, she's grounded.

Anyways... despite only having my one speed coaster bike I decided to drop into the valley and ride west along the bike path, avoid traffic,and enjoy the scenery.

Charged up on ginger snaps I flew down into the valley and gave it all I had as I proceeded to burn up the miles along the river and got a really good workout on the climb out which is rather long and brings you back up 900 or so feet over a few kilometres. Most of the rooutes out of the valley are not this kind.

I imagined myself to be like one of those early racers and if I had a tubular wrapped around my shoulders I would have even looked the part.

I even passed some guy on a modern bike and kit on the flats but he killed me on the climb... and he gave me a "nice bike" and thumbs up.

After working on the tandem (my friends live at the top of the climb) I went back the way I came and was pretty thrilled with the descent speed and once I crossed the valley I made like Pantani and climbed back out on what was a shorter but much steeper grade and came home to rest and refuel after what was basically a pretty good tt effort and tucked in the old girl until the next time.



I'll be going back tomorrow and will ride the same route but since I need to pack a few parts and tools will use some lower gears and maybe even a couple of them.

And I'll even remember to take some pics of what is really a nice route since I won't be in such a hurry.