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Winters often leave the roads buckled, pot-holed, and bumpy. Every so often, they get to the point of needing a fresh surface and new lines painted.

Happily, this is one of those times. From north of Elk Mountain to south of Idlewild Ski Shop, route 374 is now one long expanse of pristine blacktop. These cyclists/skiers remarked that this type of surface is as enjoyable to a cyclist as fresh light powder is to a skier.

When climbing hills like the one in front of Elk, perspiration dripping from the exertion, thighs protesting the ascent, heart pounding in the ears, one can almost hear “Allez Allez Allez!”, and feel inspiration from the athletes that will be ascending the switchbacks of Alpe d’huez tomorrow before racing through Grenoble, and finally down the Champs-Elysees on Sunday.

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