Morning ride

This morning was beautiful, the sun was shining and the sky was blue, at 6 AM when I got up. By 7:30 AM when I was getting ready to go out on my morning ride, the sky had gone overcast. Not unusual for this time of year. I threw on my arm and knee warmers just to be safe.
I met the group at the end of my driveway which opens onto a road very popular with the local cyclists and headed out toward the hills. By the time we'd gotten 6 miles into the ride it had warmed up to the point where I removed the arm and knee warmers and stowing them in my jersey pockets.
Since I had time constraints, when the group decided to wait for the slower riders, I chose to continue on, I knew they'd catch up to me anyway. The route starts out semi-flat to rolling and then tilts up as it turns south and begins a 5-6 mile climb through trees, wildflowers and old ranches. We were heading toward a beautiful winding one lane road that will take us back to the highway.
By the time I was halfway up the climb the faster riders had begun to catch me. Once they passed me I picked up my pace just enough to keep them in sight.
When we reached the top we waited for the rest of the group and then began the beautiful mostly shaded descent.
I hammered down the hill chasing the leaders passing riders along the way. I was having such a great ride. I felt strong and the speed was exhilarating. Each little roller was a challenge to be mastered, then pick up the speed again on the other side. I heard something next to me and realized I was being passed by one of the men on the ride. One of the downsides of being small, you have to work really hard to go as fast as everyone else on the descents. I kept him in my sights, peddling hard.
We rounded a turn and I saw it, the bridge going over the river and the steep 10% assent on the other side. This could be my chance. I began increasing the speed of my spin just as I hit the hill, keeping my momentum high and down-shifting as I felt the speed decrease. Before I knew it I was passing my passer. As I went by I heard him say "This is when gravity isn't my friend". Yay! I poured on the speed and hit the descent way in front. I was so jazzed, I think it gave me extra strength. I pushed on harder and harder increasing my gap.
By the time I reached the base where everyone was regrouping I was a good 30 seconds in front of him.