Is it possible no one has posted here since November? Or am I just not
receiving e-mail from KOM anymore?

Weather in Los Angeles, even in winter, is often pleasant. Yesterday
the temperature was about 67 degrees F with clear, blue skies. So I
biked about 3000 feet (914 meters) over 22 miles (35km?), from my home
into the Santa Monica mountains and back. The climbing didn't start
until I'd pedaled the first 3 miles.

Although I don't think the averge degree of the slope was very high, I
rode up some steep hills. One mile-long stretch of road registered no
less than 9%, seemed mostly to be around 13%, and touched 20% for a
short distance.

I'm 57, so I felt entitled to ride my mountain bike, and use 40x26
gearing. I did ride straight up the hills most of the way, and no
matter what gear I used, I never stopped riding. I didn't see anyone
else on a bike. There were very few moving cars, too, so I felt safe
using my mp3 player - I am really motivated to push harder when I've
got a beat in my ears.

There are some amazingly massive and beautiful homes in the Santa
Monica mountains, and some splendid views over the city and out over
the Pacific Ocean. Many homes look like French chateaus, eschewing the
more traditional Spanish mission revival style that predominates in
the city's lowlands. The homes, and the narrow, winding, tree-lined
streets sometimes make me think I'm in Europe.

But I'm in Los Angeles. Currently it's 72 degrees F, but strangely
overcast. A tropical storm will bring rain over the next few days. So
I'm about to go on another ride...