OK I love biking again !

What can I say, yesterdays ride was as good as it gets. Started late in the morning as 55 F makes it tolerable, or at least better than the 40's.

I decided that I would just go with feel as far as what terrain I would bike. Around here its mostly hilly,very similar the roads one would see in the Adirondacks, just a little less elevation.

After 3 miles into the ride I decided to go hilly. Might as well base build with what I'm going to encounter all season. Even before I started the HR cap was set at nothing above 145 !

Going up some steep quadbusters will obviously not count,but all Z2 to middle of my 2.

Also, my position has changed since my last race of 06. Saddle height is down almost 13mm, also I scooted the saddle about 1/2in.
All my trainer rides were with this new position but I was worried that it wouldn't translate well in road feel and power. Well.......it did. I know I'm putting down some gains.

When it the time comes to replace my BB on the FSA, I'll most likely get an Ergomo. I've always wanted to know what my wattage is, so instead of just working w/ a HR monitor I'll step it up a notch.

Back to the ride.........I ended up picking a course that is extremely challenging. Harder climbs than Placid,especially Rt 5 going to Canaan. Man o man thats a bitch ! Its 6 miles of torture that has gains that make it a mini-Pyrinees. I think I've finally figured out how to climb it.

I commited to give it a shot with just the 34x21 and to keep the effort very relaxed for the first 2 of the steeps, this pass has a total of 7 climbs, 2 very steep, 3 over 1/2 a mile and 2 mild ones.

Last season I avoided it all together, that how hard it is. When I did it with Tomo in 05 it was 3/4 into our 115 miler, and truth be told I couldn't hang !

The only thing that saved my pride was that my cleat was coming loose, and I hopped off the bike to tighten it. Losing the bolts would render me stuck. Even if this didn't happen.......I think I would have dismounted anyway.

Yesterday I went up Dolly ( my nickname for it ) pretty damn confidently ! It made the rest of the rollers on the way home pretty pedestrian.

So Hill training works boys and girls !

Its going to be another awesome day ! close to 70 F Going to do an easy run, then 3500yd swim.

Have a great day and be safe out there .