Today was the shake-down cruise for the Bike Fridays. Originally it was hoped the weather would get nicer and we could finally get in a killer (and it would kill me) ride to Santa Cruz. And of course I’m determined to ride in weather a bit closer (as in, warmer) to what we’ll experience in France. Trust me, there will be no fog in France. Rain, yes, that’s a given. But it’s going to be warm and muggy.

Trying to avoid Old LaHonda as much as possible, we rode up Kings, as we usually would on a Tuesday morning. Not much fun later in the day when it’s busier; getting behind slower cyclists (what, slower than me?) and having cars back up gets tiring, and they won’t pass, even where it’s safe to do so. The crackdown on drivers dangerously crossing into the other lane has definitely been effective, but maybe went just a bit overboard.

Curiously I was about the same speed on the Bike Friday as I would have been on my regular bike. I took that as a good sign for the trip ahead. We stopped a number of times to address small issue; the bikes have been used for 10 or 11 trips so far, so it’s surprising there aren’t any large issues showing up.

Once up top we headed south to 84, then down to LaHonda for refueling. Kevin and I split a roast beef sandwich, and ate a Snickers Peanut Butter something. Not terribly impressed with it. The Mtn Dew was top notch, though.

Heat was definitely getting to me on the way up West Alpine, but that’s a good thing, that’s what I need to get used to. Most of the time Kevin was stronger, but we did trade a few punches on the way up.

Then down Page Mill, looped back up into Portola Valley & Woodside, and ended up with just barely over 50 miles. Most disappointing thing on the ride? No lemonade stands! A nice 4th of July day and no lemonade stands? What’s the world coming to?