Here we are before the pain began. Still in the flats on our way to a ride that Kouji and I had never done before. We heard it has a brutal climb but a super fun downhill. Randall and Albert had ridden it two weeks ago.

Here is me, just after the first climb on the pavement, little did I know what lie ahead. After this point we headed up the hill, and I mean up! Geez more like straight up. Unfortunately, (actually I think luckily) Kouji's derailer broke about 2/3's into the climb and he had to head back down. Us remaining, then continued on.......me almost falling over, or passing out one or the other.....finally made it to the top after intermittently, pushing, riding, stopping to catch my breath, in that order several times! Ok, all you climbers, boy do I have a challenge for you!! The downhill however, made up for the grueling uphill. Super sweet flowy, corners and fast switch-backs all the way down,,, wheeeeee, it was too bad Kouji couldn't have been there to enjoy it with us!