Heather, Mark and I rode the Emmett–Horseshoe Bend Loop. It was a beautiful day with very little wind. We did have a slight tailwind through Black Canyon which made it fast and fun! Heather wasn’t feeling that great so she stayed at last wheel while Mark and I rotated. On Old Horseshoe Bend Hill I changed my usual routine of doing a single LT interval to doing 4×4-minute VO2s. The first couple were okay, but they slowly got harder and harder. By the last one I really had to mentally push get through it.

I have switched to using my red Trek as my training bike since I plan to get a new bike next year. Even though I loved my Kestrel, the combination of smoother, 10-speed Dura Ace components (man do I love that 16-tooth cog!) and a livelier frame, makes it much more enjoyable to ride. I just love the way it feels when I stand up on the pedals. And most people consider the 5000 OCLV frame quite dated; I can’t imagine how some of the newer frames on the market feel! I’ve already started researching and so far at the top of the list are the Felt AR and the Cervelo S3. Can you sense a theme? Hint, I’ll never win a field sprint!