Ride went really well. Tried to ride it slightly conservative not doing it before and not wanting to run out of steam and turn back. Had a monster head wind the first half of the climb which slowed us.
The guide (owner of the bike shop where I rented the bike) kept on telling me I was putting a hurtin' on him and that he was surprised a big boy from Texas could ride so well on a climb. I am not huge anymore by any means just about 35lbs heavier than him at the same height but lots of leg muscle. I just thought it was him being nice and building up the ego a bit of a paying customer. Well, I followed him on Strava and it turns out that we did the ascent and descent of Pine Mountain summit in the 3rd fastest time he had ever done it. He does this ride sometimea a couple times a week. I was a bit shocked for sure as he used to race on the US National team.
I should have started cycling at a much younger age and also I will be returning to ride Ojai again. Tons of road, gravel and mountain biking and the town itself is awesome.
[attachment deleted by admin]