Harden the F-up

It's 7:28 am I'm enjoying my 3rd cup of coffee and I'm contemplating the posibility of getting out for a ride when it clears up a bit when my cell phone rings. Who the heck is that but mr. "I don't ride when it's raining" Dave Dalton. In his sumwhat subdued NY accent I hear
DD: Hey! whadya doin...You comin out?
Me: Ah ya I was thinking when it drys out a bit, just finishing my 3rd cup here.
DD: well get yourself together and get over here we're leaving at 8.
Me: Ah OK I might be a little late, It was about that time I look down at the wristband I had just purchased for motivation "Harden the F!%K up" From Stuart O'Grady's website I just relized I wasn't being very HTFU! OK I'm there!
So I quickly toss some riding closes on and the balance into my ride bag and head out for what was going to be a cold, wet, Windy ride...and Hilly.
So we head out with a group of 6 of the usual characters, Damn I forgot my booties oh well you can only get so wet. At least the rain let up and it was mostly road splash getting into my shoes. After a while you just get used to it.
Well we he a junction and some looking for Superbowl Sunday and another buddy not feeling his oats 2 peel off and we are now 4. So off to Patterson Pass Rd. I can only imagine what is going to be like on the way back going up Old Altamont Pass into a head wind.
So up the climb we go......did I mention I'm not a climber. But all in all I was feeling OK must have been that 25~30 mph tailwind. We regroup at the top and down we go heading into the central valley, make our turn on to Mtn House and back towards Ol'Altamont Rd. So we're trying to make some head way but the wind was really cutting into our Speed.
I slid off the back as I just couldn't move forward, It was about 2 miles up the rd I decided to take off the dragchute like Raincape as I was feeling like crap. Suddenly I felt like a new man and off I go. At the first part of the day I was ok during the climb I felt like crap. But heading up Highland I felt pretty strong. Set a pretty good pace up the short climb. So we hit the mid sprint zone and it doesn't look like anyone is going for it so I back off a bit but set a a low gear so I can make a jump if needed.....then I catch glimps of a shadow over my left and it's Dave making a go of it. No such luck Dave it's my hill! and Off I go with a good jump. I figure what the hell lets make a break for it and see if they'll chase me down. I guess all the wind took it's toll on everybody. I'm not sure if it's I'm a strong rider or the guys never want to chase. After a huge effort I made it to the bridge again with a good 30~40 sec Gap.
So we all limp back to the the coffee shop for some hot Joe good conversation then it was time to pack it up get home for a Hot shouwer and some soup.
I was totally glad Dave called and got me out with the guys, it's been a while and was a great yet wet/cold day or riding. Guess I put in some points for HTFU.
I need more days like this Snelling is just around the corner and I really want to do well in that race.
Later
Jim