Another Weekend

Hey, sorry I have not been posting hike reports but mostly riding or in this case, Amy's back yard is surrounded by a wall with oleanders providing a beautiful backdrop.  But, they have become overgrown so into the above thicket I went with a hand saw and pruning shears.  A few hours later....

....she can walk through there again and I also raked a drainage that had been filled with leaves.

Friday evening, we went to the Steam Pump Ranch across from where I live and attended an outdoor concert.  Actually, the group who was playing was kind of awful but the mountains were magnificent as the sun set.  A vineyard, Sonoita Vineyards, set up a booth and I hit it too hard.  Some how....

....I got up early the next morning and joined the Bicycle Ranch group ride at 6:30am.  There were about 30 of us departing in the "A" group.  There we were going 30+mph on Silverbell Road when I spit the bit and dropped out.  Gasping for breath, I noted my average speed Wass 22.6 but of course, now soloing, the average dropped precipitously as I labored up the long climb on Twin Peaks Road to Dove Mountain.  I caught the gang at....

...a gas station off Tangerine Road.  

Rare for a gas station to have such a nice view.  We headed back onto the road and I lasted about 8 miles before again dropping anchor and out the back of the group I went.  Finished with 48 miles and an 18.1 average. These group rides are a great way to improve fitness since I can't maintain that kind of intensity when riding alone.

That evening, my spirits were lifted by playing Rummy with Amy.  In what has to be one of the most lopsided wins in Rummy playing history, the game ended with a score of me--210 points, the Amster--35.  lol.

Sunday morning, we hiked the Linda Vista trail with Jack.  He's not much into hot, desert hiking so we finished with only 2 miles. I picked up a rental suv today and am packing for a drive to Ohio.  Will be back in about 2 weeks and will continue to post here.