Very cool! Especially since I've done some of the rides mentioned, including Grizzly Peak both last year and this year. Too bad the author didn't mention that trio of Amici Veloci ladies who kept following him all day.
Yeah, he only mentions himself and other men cyclists. No mention of any women, or any women's century rides (Cinderella, ferinstance). Oh well. Whaddayou expect.
Half-marathon over. Sabbatical year over. It's back to "sacking shirt and oat cakes" as they say here.