Into the mist

The Saturday's weather looked promising on Friday night. It was going to be dry. At least that is what the weather said was going to happen. I got up and dropped Craig off for a merit badge clinic. The roads were wet but there was no rain. After getting home, I debated between riding in the garage or hitting the road. After mulling it over for 20 minutes, the die was cast to ride outside. I am glad the die was right.

I started over the 99, not knowing where I was going to ride. I knew I had about 90 to 100 minutes to ride before I needed to be home - basketball was calling. While I was contemplating the route, the subconscious guided me to take the right on Springbrook and up to Bell Rd. I took the left down Bell and thought, I should do some climbing so I headed up the 219. When I got to Bald Peak road, the road was still wet and there was a little bit of mist starting to form. Then I decided to head for the Peak.

As I rode up through the mist, several thoughts came to mind. One was of the first time I had rode through thick mist, doing the Rock Store climb for the first time on the Conejo Valley Century in 2006. The climb just kept coming and I kept pedaling. It felt like an eternity to get to the top. I kept telling myself that it was just around the next bend and I'd be at the top. After a few miles, just around the next bend finally came as I passed several cyclists walking their bikes to the top.

The other thought was a bit more spiritual in nature. I noticed the fog line and could remember riding the fog line during the pitch black nights in Costa Rica as we were heading back home after a night of missionary work. It was so dark, the stars seemed to jump out of the sky but there wasn't enough light to see where the road went. So I'd stare at the fog line to be sure I'd stay on the road. It reminded me of the Iron Rod. I followed the fog line and got home much like the Iron Rod will if we hold to it. This trip to Bald Peak sparked another fog line thought. If this fog line went onward and upward, eventually we'd break through the clouds to the glorious vision of the sun and the sea of clouds. What a magnificent vision it would be and even greater if we held to this fog line or Iron Rod to the time we'd see our Father again. What a magnificent time that will be!

Back to the ride - I stopped about halfway up as the mist started to thicken and took a few pictures. At the top, I stopped and did it again. I just wanted to have something to remind me of the day's ride. I really enjoyed it and the suffering wasn't all that bad either. Here are the few pictures.

Looking across the road to the valley.A few more miles up there is the top of this climb.
Across the street from the park. I have a picture of Craig by this sign. On a clear day, you can see 5 peaks from up here.

There is the entrance to the park at the top of the climb. Victory again! Bald Peak is one of my favorite climbs.