Getting way, way, way behind as I prepare to leave for a trip to Africa tomorrow night, but that’s no excuse for not keeping the almost-daily diary updated!

Thursday morning saw the “return” of the Kevin, who’s getting his hill-climbing legs back in gear. I could see this beginning a week or two ago, but he’s progressed faster than I thought likely. We rode up fairly easy for the first half of Kings, but once we hit the open section (1.41 miles to go), the two Kevins (pilot and my son) took off, along with Chris and, not sure, maybe Mark P. At the top I’m told that Kevin (younger Kevin, not the old geezer pilot guy) passed up the other Kevin just before the line.

But the really amazing ride was done by Chris, who simply powered away on the gradual descent towards West Old LaHonda. When he came around I thought no biggie, I’ll just get his wheel… but his wheel was moving away from me very, very fast and by the time I could respond I was putting out a lot more horsepower than could be maintained for very long. I did catch his wheel though, and hung on for dear life. Not easy, despite the fact that Chris was putting out a lot more wattage, probably 30% more, than I was. Chris later repeated the same type of effort on Tripp Road. Amazing.

I’ve got just one more ride before leaving, tomorrow’s usual Sunday ride with Kevin, and later catch a red-eye (yuck) to Dulles (DC), then Ethiopia and finally Kenya. A few days in Kenya before a short flight to Tanzania, where we do the Safari thing for a week. By the time I get back my bike legs will be gone. So I’m looking forward to the trip, not so much the return. 🙂 –Mike–