Congrats on conquering the monster mountain, Kathi!!! I'm so happy for you and your monumental accomplishment. I think sometimes the biking "gods" lead us in directions we weren't headed- just to give us a little challenge we didn't know we needed. Congrats to you!! Now just think: in six months you'll ride that same route again and not only will you be faster (and warmer ), but you'll ride it with much less effort.