It can get a bit tough staying motivated on the gradual descent from Sky Londa to West Old LaHonda, battling mild headwinds that keep it from really feeling like a descent, and how some days it seems a whole lot longer. Strava says 2.73 miles at an average speed of only 27mph.

Got back to the start at 9:35, about 15 minutes slower than back in the day.

I’m trying to figure out how long it’s been since Kevin’s climbed a real hill on his regular (not electric) bike. A very, very long time.

This morning, that ended. His knee may finally be recovering, and he was able to not just consider, but accomplish, riding up Kings.

It wasn’t fast. It wasn’t stylish. But it wasn’t terrible either. For me, it was reminiscent of Kevin’s very first ride up Kings, September 27, 2006. Unfortunately, that’s pre-strava so I don’t have the details, but I don’t think it was too much slower than today’s 52 minutes!

In a way, it was like turning back the clock 19 years, because I’ve given up on challenging rides for a while, helping bring Kevin’s riding back up to speed. Well, speed is really the wrong word! It’s been frustrating, but today there was some real hope. Hope that he’ll once again become that climbing monster packed in a sprinter’s body.

You’ll note that it was an abbreviated ride; there simply wasn’t enough time and it would have been too risky to push Kevin’s knee any further than he already had. Plus, pretty foggy and wet up top!