Silver Springs Switchback

This is such a nice ride. I think it lives up to its XXX rating. Nearly 6000ft of climbing over 70 mi. There is nothing reallyncrazy, just relentless, long, beautiful climbs. The weather for this year's edition couldn't be better. Sunny, warm, with a nice breeze to keep us cool. Kevin Cheng commented, "You don't have to go to France", the views were so beautiful. There was a great turnout, and i think everybody had a good time.

This was the first time I've done this ride. It really was superb with beautiful scenery. I loved riding past the huge wind turbines. I felt bad at first for being dropped and not having the strength and energy to keep up, but then i started focusing more on my surroundings, and the silence and peacefulness. This is a part of riding that we miss sometimes. Being tuned in to the nature around us, the feeling of being self-sufficient on the bike without the burning of any fossil fuel or polluting exhaust. Riding alone away from the pressure to keep up with group and always pushing, pushing, pushing. This was a day when it felt ok to lay back and just enjoy it.