Le Buzz, the most popular place from where group rides meet. Looking around the parking lot there are dozens of singles and groups forming to prepare usually to head to.... ...Mount Lemmon and one of the various parking areas prior to the town of Summerhaven or to go even higher. I jumped in with a group of 15 who were headed to mile point 15, Geology Pt Vista, although I planned to go farther up road. I hit new personal best times at a couple of places, including breaking the one hour mark at 7 Cataracts Vista at mile 9 but while pausing briefly to take a bite, John, a good guy with whom I have ridden a few times now, passed me so I arrived 2nd at the above overlook at Geology Pt.. From there, you can see several miles down the road. I waited around for awhile and then a visitor from Switzerland joined me to go higher up. At Pallisades, mile 20, I stopped to fill the water bottles and ran into a couple of guys visiting from Montreal. Always fun to talk and compare notes. How about that? I think it is a Crabapple tree, here at 7500' elevation, just like in my yard in Ohio. So, I arrived at.... ....Summerhaven but did I stop there as I did last week? NO, I did not and made a right and slogged up the 1.5 miles to.... ....Ski Valley where snow can still be seen on the above north facing slope. My Swiss friend and I discussed going around the gate and heading another 1.5 miles to the observatory at pavement's end but.... ....instead we took images of each other and coasted down.... ....great views eh?.... ....to the Sawmill Restaurant where I sat, rested and ate a salad. I have eaten more spinach, veggies and fruit in the past month then probably any previous year. Today I am 7 pounds lighter than when I arrived and kind of motivated to reach 10. As usual, the parking lot in front of the restaurant is full and as I wait for the salad, cyclists stream by headed to the infamous Cookie Cabin. I finish the day with 62 miles and 7300' of climbing. A nap is in order upon my return home. Speaking of which, I will be back in Ohio on the 21st, in case anyone is wondering. That is a Thursday but too late to make the New Albany ride but will be there, weather permitting, the following week.
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