It’s kinda nice, getting up when it’s pretty darned cold, knowing that you’ve got friends doing the same thing with you. Today it was both Kevins, Eric, JR, Lanier & George. Since it’s Tuesday, it was the regular run up Kings, and I dutifully found myself off the back before the halfway point. George, younger Kevin, Lanier & JR finished in the lead group, then Eric, and eventually older (pilot) Kevin and myself. Fortunately we did have an excuse, as pilot Kevin had a flat on the way up, which I dutifully stopped to assist with.

We had a slight surprise on West Old LaHonda when, just after entering the forest, we came face-to-face with a large truck coming in the other direction. Being a single-lane road, there wasn’t much room to get around it; we all just kinda came to a very sudden stop. The 6 of us must have come very close to toppling into each other, and yet every once of us managed to unclip and stop without incident.

Thursday we’ll have our traditional Turkey-Day ride. There will be two meeting points; the usual (Olive Hill & Canada Road) at 8:15am (not 7:45!), and another chance to catch us at the base of Old LaHonda at 8:30am. We’ll be heading up Old LaHonda, over Haskins to Pescadero (via the LaHonda duck pond), then Stage Road north and back via Tunitas. There will be a stop for food in Pescadero, either at Arcangeli Bakery/Market (if open) or else the Mexican restaurant at the gas station. Pace will be moderate; figure 25 minutes up Old LaHonda, 13 minutes up Haskins, and about 55-60 minutes up Tunitas from the coast. Should be back by 1pm or so. You’ll get to burn off the calories before you eat them!