I opted to ride the challenging Alpine Dam loop ride yesterday despite knowing that I would be on the low end of the speed, and likely the slowest.

The ride was a formal and informal ride by ALC09: formal because it was completely legit in all ways ALC, and informal because there were four training ride leaders for two regular riders. One look at the organizer's thighs and I knew he might be "catching us at the top". It was a most hospitable ride and the fasties were able to get their speed on, and I did not feel pressured by it. Another of the very fast training ride leaders suggested to her friend to do the ride and her friend said something like, "Oh, I am not ready for Alpine Dam at this point!"

I am glad to see that my perspective has changed after having ridden in last year's ALC08. I knew it would be a challenging ride, and I went for it. My total mileage was ~64 and the ride itself was ~48.5. In addition to the mileage of the ride, I tacked on the extra. This ride is one of the most gorgeous rides on the training schedule.

This year, I am not riding down to LA and something about that takes the pressure off. I have more time to take photos and reflect on my cycling progress over the past two years. Riding ALC is something that a person will refer to for the rest of his or her life.

9962.85 - 64.63 = 9898.22