Frankie is basically recovered from her surgery.

Masses (surgeon found two during surgery) were malignant, with 1mm clear margins though. No guarantees there hasn't been any spread, but if we hadn't done anything we would be looking at a median survival rate of 8 months based on the biopsy grading.

She's been a lot more active than before the surgery, and has become even more of a lap cat. She's so small now, she went from 10 pounds to about 7.5 after the surgery.

A dozen of us did a 72 mile route with 3500 feet of climbing spread out. Nice weather and the pace got high early on. I worked way too hard and we stopped at 25 miles for a break. At the break 3 of us, including friend on fixed gear, took off early so we could ride at a more subdued pace for a while, which was nice. Eventually they caught up while we were trying to figure out the route. Seems the route was missing a turn.

They actually let me lead for a while, which was also nice. The last 25 miles the pace was toned down a bit and as people started going their separate ways it got easier. Just me and 2 other weirdos rode back to the start together.

Good to hear Frankie is trying to bounce back and even better that you're there for her.

You and your pals are cool, and it's sad to hear of a good one leaving us.

I never met the guy either, but I'd bet the house he was decent.

Stuff like that just proves all people aren't ******g *******s.

Quality

I tried to take a pic but the sun was so bright it wasn't possible. Also complicated by the fact that it's half under water. They took a level, well draining road, and built a swale into it. So there is a 50 meter stretch mostly under water. It being rainy season. They started in on a drain, but have been absent the last few days. No hurry. They are not inconvenienced by it.

Gotta go with 44x17 for that lucky 69 gear inches on a 28mm tyre. I was super slow on descents back pressuring the pedals and applying front brake. The whipskidder bros I rode with a couple times were way faster on descents, we kept similar paces on the climb though

RMOT

Sheila is lying on the hard wood floor by my chair, even though there's a nice bed just across the room. I think I may have acquired a Velcro Hound.

M's on National ESPN broadcast.

Forgot to mention as we were riding back a pair of riders passed me and one of them called out "Hey Big John". Turned out to be former BF member MarkAJ. Haven't seen him in years. I checked and he hasn't posted since 2008. That was probably when they started a new forum called SoCal Bike Forum. A bunch of local riders went there and it lasted for a while, at least a few years. Actually picked up some advertisers and paid for itself, then poof, it was gone.

Geared for cruising on the flats at 16-18. I grunt on climbs, walk on steep climbs, and spin on descents before hitting the front disc brake around 24mph. I do have a larger cog on the flip side, but only use it for long headwind stretches.

Back on home turf, bike case in hand. Always a relief.

RMOT

Was talking to a Fish and Wildlife officer about the preponderance of (edit - black) bear and mountain lion in the immediate area. He said the most effective deterrent was a boat horn. He said, it just scares the crap out of them.

AARP convention?

My riding group looks very similar. But not as good looking.

Glad to hear. Fingers crossed. Any role for a CAT scan?

Had a get-together with some cycling friends last night. One of them just got a brand new 911s turbo (or is it a turbo s?). Most of the others were drooling, but I kept thinking “it’s ok, but it’s not a Saturn.”

Scares the Hell out of me. too.

Or a Miata MX 5 -RF. 140 mph. Zoom Zoom.

They were drooling because it’s not a Saturn.

Good to know. I’ll be packing one for our Tahoe trip.

I'm often the oldest, but not this time. The guy just over my shoulder is 81 (on an e-bike) and the little mountain goat in the white jersey is 73. One of the others is 41 and selfie guy, aka fixie guy, is mid 50s, I think. 2 other e-bikes in there.