dreadedmonkeygod . net

Once again, I'm just going to be greedy and keep most of this weekend's awesomeness to myself.

But I will say two things: Californication is some fantastic stuff. My girlfriend and I gorged on it, finishing the first disc of season 1 in a single sitting, and I just bought the first season on iTunes and watched three more.

And I had a damn fine ride in Cheeseboro Canyon yesterday. Since riding four days in eight a while back, my legs have been burned out and my back has been deeply annoyed. I've played through, doing a ride each weekend, dutifully ticking off the miles and elevation gain, having fun despite my body not really being in a party mood.

And that seemed to be the way things were going to go yesterday. I rode up from the parking lot to the south tip of the Modelo trail, then down the canyon trail to Shepherd's Flat, and up the Sheep Corral trail to the lookout above Palo Comado. I checked my watch. No time to go all the way to Simi Peak, so I decided to head down Dead Cow, then back up Palo Comado, then back down the Sheep Corral the way I'd come.

Knowing I just had one more short climb before a long stretch of fun downhill put me in the mood to push hard. I was smooth down Dead Cow, then turned and cranked hard up Palo Comado. That seemed to shock my legs awake, and I powered up to the overlook, then continued down to Shepherd's flat, riding smooth and confident the whole way.

My downhilling has radically improved, and I think my legs are finally coming back online. My back is still unhappy, but yoga and stretching help. And, as always, sleep is key.

Good night, everyone.

(Map: "Cheeseboro - Dead Cow")