Solo ride from home, leaving before 5:30 when it was nice and dark. I had both lights on and needed the front light to see where I was going for at least the first 30 min. Headed over to Highland Valley Rd and took it up to the stop light near Ramona. I felt okay on the first climb, not fast but not struggling. On the steep part of the second climb, I was pretty slow, just slogging it up the hill. Better on the final steep section, although my lower back was feeling it on the way down toward Ramona. There must have been a little bit of a headwind on the way out, since I made better time on the ride back up to the summit point. I was a little bit less tentative on the downhill sections and had some moments of pure joy racing downhill. The sunrise was glorious as well, with pink clouds making the sky look magnificent. Good time on the flat section after the downhills, and a decent final stretch. It was a good way to start the day.
Avg speed = 16.8 mph. Total mileage = 31.1 mi
Avg heartrate = 142 bpm
Total elevation gain = 2370'
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/515243102
