I sat on the fence for several days trying to decide whether to join jobob and the gang on Calaveras. It's been four years since I've ridden it and though I am a better rider than I was in 2003, I haven't ridden many road miles lately, nor any hills, so I decided to wait until next time and do my own ride close to home.

I ended up with 55 miles in my neck of the woods. Rode to our local MUT about four miles from the house. After six miles on the trail as a warm up (not too many people at that time of the day), I got off and rode an out-and-back that I often do that includes one healthy climb (Willow Springs Rd.) and plenty of rollers (Uvas Rd.). I got more tired than I normally do on this ride, but at the only bail out point on the return, I decided to finish the longer ride figuring I could stop when I needed to and go at a slower pace. I was heading into the usual afternoon wind, so that in itself slowed me, but only had to make one quick stop to massage an aching hot foot. It was a beautiful day and it felt good to be out there, but I was really glad to get home.

In retrospect, the Calaveras ride might have been the easier of the two rides and certainly would have been more fun. Next time I won't be so wishy-washy