100 miles, west of here.

Phew...home at last. Took me 23 hrs of airport time to finally get to Lexington, KY. Delays and Overbookings are a complete hazard.

I completed the Gran Fondo. I set my goal at 8 hrs not knowing the true character of the route. 9 and 1 half hours to finalize 100 miles, a brutal gain of elevation, gusting winds and roads rough enough to break your wrists. A challenging course by any standard. The rolling hills of central KY prepped me well but are no training ground for mountainous attacks.

I coasted through the black ballooned finish line and quickly sought after my complementary New Belgium Fat Tire. Yes, its worth 9.5 hours in the saddle.

Some pictures from my journey.
The host, Levi Leipheimer, and I post race.

30 means 30

September 30th saw a cool overcast evening. For a friend's 30th birthday he decided to run 10 miles and bike 20. This has started to be a tradition that my cousin started. I rode along on the 20 mile Fork's to Stamping Ground loop. Exactly 20 miles via Switzer Rd and Woodlake. Some nice climbs on this route. None too long, none too steep but nonetheless challenging and leg burning, if you stay in them. The cool weather presented the problem with cycling during the latter two seasons of the year. Cool enough that you need a layer or sleeves, while being warm enough that you will sweat with what you are wearing, and then be cold during you fast descents.
Don't over think it. Wear what you have. Take it off when it needs taking off. Put it back on when ready. Tie it around, stuff it in. It may cause drag but who cares. Just ride.
Don't over think it. What route are we riding? No matter. 20 miles. 30 miles. 1 hour. 2 hour. Lets just ride. Hills, ride up them. Hills, ride down them. Just ride.
30 miles total. We will go until we are done. More or Less mileage has the same goal. Finish.