Being Friday, it’s Garbage Day on Old La Honda. Today turned out to be extra special because it was also recycling day so I had two contenders to deal with.
My archnemesis passed me right as I was making my turn from Portola Rd. Fine, I gave it a couple of minutes lead time. I figured I’d rather wait and catch up once the turns start sharpening. I attacked fairly early and pass it without problems. It did not counter, although I was worried of the upcoming stretch with no visible cans to be picked up, thus no stops to slow it down. I pressed on. Once it was out of sight, I kept hearing the cracking of metal and blasting of the air compression brakes. No doubt it was coming from down below but I seem to be hearing it from above as well. Weird. Sometime the trees and rugged terrain can play tricks on you.
I kept pumping. My breathing became very labored. I was on track to beat my personal best time. Two third into the climb, the engine noise started to get louder ahead of me. I turned left, I turned right and there it was, the recycling truck. It hesitated for a second. I seized the opportunity and sequeezed myslef between its flank and the small ditch on the left side of the road. Barely made it, but the driver was courteous enough to let me pass.
With no contender left, I finished the climb with relative ease. I did not break my record today but still was happy to know I had put in a good fight.
