Heading out from Highwood Junction at 10:15 we noticed that Wallace was quite a bit faster, so Manfred and I cut his rear derailleur cable. Now Wallace had to ride using only the smallest gear in the rear cogset effectively giving him a two speed bicycle! However, that is the highest gear, so as long as he could keep his pedals turning, he was fast! He wupped us to the top of the pass.
The temperature was pretty much perfect for riding, the wind was negligible except for a mild headwind a few times on the downhill return, and the sky was bluebird for the whole day. I've called and done this trip seven of the past eight years. We have always made it to the pass, but have mostly had to pull on a rain jacket for some of the time. Today was amazing.
We were at the pass around 12:30 for a well deserved break (especially for Wallace).
Wallace, Carl and Manfred at Highwood Pass
Wallace and Manfred at the Highwood Pass sign
Wallace and Manfred smiling because they are almost back at the cars
Many thanks to Manfred, and Wallace (guest and occasional RMRA member) for joining me, Carl (C/S).
PS, No we didn't cut Wallace's cable, but it did break before we had gone 15 km and he rode valiantly the rest of the trip (ahead of us at all times).