After last year's downpour and cold, anything would have been better for El Tour de Tucson this year, but yesterday was just perfect. A brisk 41 degrees to start but it warmed up to almost 70 during the ride. I left my extra thrift store sweater at the start and never felt cold. Almost no wind!

I wore short gloves with full-fingered liners, arm warmers, knee warmers, an extra pair of exercise capris over my shorts, a windbreaker, a wool beanie and socks to start- I had shed most the extra stuff by 9 am, and the arm & knee warmers came off at mile 46.

Last year's route was supposed to be 107 miles- but I ended up with 113 because I had to detour a flooded wash. This year the route was 104 miles.

I really enjoyed the whole ride yesterday- I never had that "when will this be over?" mindset. I just rode at a comfortable endurance pace - pushed myself a little when it was flat or downhill. I was aiming for a 7:30 finish, and came in at 6:56. My moving average was about 16, altogether with stops, about 15 mph. I don't feel sore today at all- although I did fall asleep by 9 o'clock.