Went out for my favorite 60 mile loop, southwest from SW Portland to almost Newberg, then north west on the far side of the Chelem mountains (hills), around the end and home.  Rode Jessica J, the fixie with 17 and 23 on the hub and carried a 13.  Started up the 4 mile climb, stopped after the cemetery to shed a layer and turn the wheel around.  As I was about to do the wheel, a woman passed riding strong.  I called out encouragement, then got down to business.  Or tried to.  No wrench!  Guess I am doing this ride the old way.  42 x 17.  1000' of climbing now and an accumulated probably 500 ' later.  And it all has to be descended.

Get on the bike and start following the wman who just passed.  Except she was riding a lot faster.  I knew from the get go I had no business going that fast.  Well, maybe I will pull her back near the top.  Well, every straight stretch she was farther up the road.  Like way up the road.  The last 1/2 mile I started to close the huge gap down a little and had her in sight at the top.  She went a little ways up a side street, turned around and headed back down.  I was continuing on and chose not to stop, giving her a "Well done!"

I should have stopped just to see who this woman is that climbs so well.

I am not now in her league.  But today was encouraging.  I've missed two weeks of May completely, traveling east for family and to a convention in LA.  Got home Tuesday.  Have ridden every day since so I had no idea what I would have today.  The climbing felt good all day.  And descending I was smoother than I have been all year and it was fun.  (Well my crotch doesn't entirely agree but going 45 in a 42 x 17 is considered cruel and unusual  by most.  With the 13 tooth cog, I/it would be in clover.)

The late miles?  Near flat with a tailwind and high 70s temp.  The reward for work well done.  A good day.

Ben