Lots and lots of Mt. Tam

Three rides in the last 7 days and all of them up and around Mt. Tam. Life could be worse.

Last weekend I joined the shop ride from Studio Velo for the first time, and we did Alpine Dam/Seven Sisters. Great ride with a nice group of folks. I like this ride because it leaves early and typically ends by 10:30, so I can get on with the day.

Yesterday I did my first mountain bike ride in over 15 years -- a casual jaunt up the railroad grade to the top of Mt. Tam, then down Eldridge/Blithedale and back to Mill Valley. I felt great on the climb ("hey, this isn't so bad") and got utterly DROPPED on the downhill. I clearly suck at riding fast over sharp rocks. That said, it was a very fun outing and I'm already thinking those magical words -- "bike upgrade".

Today was a hammerfest, back on the Alpine Dam loop. I joined Eric and Tom from my bike-to-work gruppo for their regular Sunday ride. About 10-12 guys, all strong riders, and they put down a very aggressive pace once out of Fairfax. Lots of breaks, sprints, bomber downhills. All fun stuff. We flashed the loop in record time (for me) and I was able to hang with the front group and not blow up. Actually felt damn strong today despite having ridden yesterday and most of the week commuting. If only you could feel strong like that every day.