First there were a couple of minor technical issues after shipping RubySlipperz home from her ALC adventure, like the bent rear spindle. Then there were a couple weeks of parties, company, parties, company, more parties. Then we were off travelling again. And in between I've had some bad gut days. And then there was trying to meet a hike target for a prize at Plus3Networks (done it now, just gotta get it all registered). But yesterday I finally bike-commuted again, and impressed myself that some of the muscles and hill smarts I finally developed on the ALC (not before, mind you, but better late than never) are still there. Made it to campus yesterday without dropping below middle chain ring. Did the same again today. Today I also rode down to the engineering campus for a choir rehearsal (the staff welfare folks invited all willing to join a gigantic choir doing a re-worded Halleluja chorus to celebrate the uni's 99th anniversary -- great fun!) and biked home from there. UK-E will know the hill from that campus up to our house. I think it averages about 10% the first 3/4 mile, then a sharp turn into a 20% zig before the final 5% zag. It's years since I've biked up it. Last time I came that route (from the train with UK-E after our ride to H€ll) I cross-trained it. Now I thought I'd give it a shot. As I came up to the hairpin, I prepared to unclip and crosstrain, but still had 2 clicks to go down to granny gear and decided to keep at it. Made it up with just one click. Wheeee! Tomorrow I'm taking the car, tho'. I have lectures from 8am to 2pm with only the hourly 15-minute breaks, two of which I'll have to squoosh together so I can make it to the department lunch where they'll be serving cake in my honor and giving me my 60th birthday prezzy, belated since my birthday's in the summer when all are on vacation. I need to wear something nice, be at the office around 7am to copy up stuff for class, and not be sweaty at lunch. But Friday I'll bike again, and maybe take the long way home to try my new-found quad muscles on Fortuna Hill.