I felt extremely lazy this morning and ditched the idea of a ride.  And then the more I thought about all the people up in Sacramento racing the Golden State Series crit and circuit this weekend, the more I like the sound of a city loop on the CAAD5.  After all, I hadn’t ridden it for a while, and with the nice weather, it’d be the perfect opportunity for some cruising.  Or at least that was the idea, initially.  So with a slew of sunscreen on, I rolled out of the house.  We’ve been having somewhat of a heatwave here, and today was one of the warmer days.  I guess that’s what I get for leaving all late.  As soon as I jumped onto the bike, my idea of cruising went right out of the window.  With the wind and hordes of tourists out, it was about to be a jammer.  My lungs could use the burn, anyhow.  First race of the season is next week, and I’ve basically done nothing but base riding.

Admittedly, it felt great to open up the valves all the way.  The sensations of puke and lung collapse now remind me how fun it was climbing through the Presidio, dropping down and then heading up to the Legion of Honor.  I was planning on tacking on Lake Merced but it’d be all wind-blown, and I would’ve run out of water by then.  Might as well just keep it strictly mountains (bro).  The park was packed as I headed up through to get to Laguna Honda.  I hit the longest light ever halfway through, but figured, ‘Ah what the hell, could happen at a race, too.’  More burning lungs and I made it to the top – cue photo above.  The descent pretty much sucked because of traffic, but I guess I wasn’t in it for the hill bombing, anyway.

Quick cut through the city back into the Presidio, which in hind sight was a horrible idea since Doyle Drive was being torn down, and all the roads that lead back towards the Marina were basically detoured.  At that point, I was just riding to get back home though, so it wasn’t too bad.

It felt amazing going a bit faster for a change.  I forgot how un-aero riding flatland with risers was, that slayed me.  At least I could tuck a bit on descents…

sitting with dilated pupils.

presidio space.

last time I came this way, I had a pista concept.  I miss those days.

intriguing dental propaganda.

also paid a visit to mike and dylan at the mash sf storefront.

mike’s cinelli mash histogram and dylan’s cinelli mash prototype with integralters.  cut out of the picture on the upper right are the phil wood mash hubs.  and some sweet low flange white track hubs.

seat related things on display.  as well as some really dope prints.  I might need to come back to peel through them, there are some sweet shots.  notice the big poster, an aerial shot of golden gate park.  possibly when gabe/mike rented a helicopter to film a section in mash?  badass either way.

mini track bike, built by mike himself.  quite nifty in person!

and without the rain, the roads were dry.  well, most of them.

riding fast was a chore, everyone was out and about today.  and I saw mission cycles’ picture from this morning, the marin trail was flooded, once again.  I sure hope it’s clear in the morning.

ALPINE DAM IN THE AM.  that’s what’s up.

gung hay fat choy, year of the tiger – bring the pain.