Ward and Old Stage: 40 miles, 5 hours, just less than 4000 feet

I started out a bit intimidated by a longer ride combined with a considerable climb and wasn't too happy to see my heart rate spike to 164 as we worked to keep up with a packed we had joined. It was my fault. I was too excited and cranked up hard than necessary, pushing he early parts of my ride into lactate threshold. Once on the hills, a more aerobic pace was easier to maintain as we settled into familiar territory. At the top was a little to cold to ride past "the turn of events" all the way Ward. My riding partner was threatened with a migraine. It was starting to snow...and that ride is still damn steep. We turned around and headed for some warmth. Down at Old Stage we found more better spirits and more climbing to do. It's not that we were being prisses and didn't want to ride in less than perfect conditions, but there's no need to risk a cold etc. for displays of bravado. There's tons more riding to be done.At the end of the day, after working to keep up with Ken most of the day, I gave in to a surge of energy and passed with insults flying over the Perl Street bridge...shattering whatever strength I had left. I followed him to his place.