Shorts!

Much of the country is frozen today, and a lot of tough cyclists reported that it was too cold for even them to ride due to the dangerous wind chills. It was quite the opposite here today. It was in the 50's by noon, and we got to wear shorts* today! There was a mixture of shorts, knickers, and light weight tights in the group today, and the feeling was very liberating!

Also of note today was the performance of one of the FNG's. Randy, who's starting on his 2nd week riding with us, completed the Lake View Loop on his first try! I gave him the option of riding out the V&T Rail Road Grade, and we'd pick him up on our way back. Instead, he opted to do the hill with us. I expected him to turn around in the first 100 yards of the Coombs Canyon climb, but he surprised me and kept going. Every time I turned around, he was still there! When I got to the top of the road climb, he wasn't very far off, so we waited for him. He finished off the remaining dirt climb, and headed down the thrilling sandy downhill that leads to the Rail Road Grade. All the way back to the office, he kept pace with the group. He may need to be tested for performance enhancing drugs come to think of it...

(*Note to Alaskans: "Shorts" are shorter versions of pants, that stop above knee and expose a fair amount of leg flesh. Shorts are enjoyed by many in warmer climates for their cooling effect.)