What alarm clock?

5:30! Damn it! I'm late. I'm almost never late to get up and train. And yet, this is two times in a row that I am going to get to Dan's house late. I don't have an alarm clock, have never needed one, I just always seems to wake up on time. But, obviously not, because not this time. The silver lining is that I mounted my trunk rack, secured my bike and got everything ready the night before (stubbing my little toe in the process). So, I can just grab my bag and jump in the car. But, that only helps so much, because I am already going to be late.

It takes me 15 minutes to get to Dan's place. I call on the way to tell Dan and Chris that I am on the way. (Jeez that call sucks... almost as bad as when you were in high school and had to go tell your dad you got he neighbor girl pregnant... or wait... never mind).

As I pull into casa Dan, it's 5:45am and I am the reason we are getting a late start today. I gear up as quickly as possible, Shimano cycling shoes w/ Look cleats (Look is the only way to go), skull cap, helmet, Pearl Izumi half-finger gloves and Tifosi Slip Sunglasses. By the way, stuffing my size 13's into cycling shoes while my little toe is still throbbing from its encounter with the Oak baseboard the night before is my most unpleasant experience of the week (maybe even the month). Oops almost forgot the Heart Rate Monitor. Not as nice as Chris' Garmin Forerunner 305 , but it works.

Dan and Chris explain that the late start combined with work schedules means that we need to cut today's ride short. So instead of our usual route out to Colossal Cave (30 miles round-trip), we will stop short at Camino Loma Alta (reduces ride distance by about 8 miles).

Got a new Selle San Marco saddle... not sure what to say about it yet, so I will withhold comment until later. Expect review in future posts. As it was, today's ride was a good steady ride, Dan lead most of the way. On the way back Dan got a rear flat just before the Widow Maker hill (I have no idea what the real name is, or if it even has a name. However, I wanted something to make it sound ominous and treacherous). Since we were running short on time, Chris rode back to get his Jeep while Dan and I proceeded to change his tire. We got the tire changed and back on the road as Chris came by a few minutes later. Chris gave Dan and his rig a ride home and I finished out the ride.

22 miles was a pretty good days work. I might just stop at Le Buzz for coffee and pastry. I should fit right in as I click-clack up to the counter.