Was a pretty good cycling day. I woke up in the night and read for about 40 minutes, trying to finish the current book before I need to return it. Got up around 6:15 and started getting ready for the ride. Packed up food and put Gatorade in one of my water bottles, then I started riding to the meeting spot. Through the neighborhood and the short way to the 4S Target. I was expecting a low turnout due to the holiday weekend, but we had more riders than I thought we would. I got a 50:50 coffee when I arrived early. On this ride there were the following riders: Jed, Arnold, Fritz, James, Nel, Kamal, Charlie, Ray, and Paula. We left a little late (Fritz and Kamal), took the reverse extended route through the 4S Ranch neighborhood to RB Rd, then down the hill to W Bernardo Dr. Down to Lake Hodges and across the pedestrian bridge, turning left on Via Rancho Pkwy. Here is where the lead riders heard that James had gotten a flat. I started riding back, found a Porta Potty and used it. Then I saw Paula, who gave me an update. He showed up soon after, then we rode up to Felicita Rd and took it to Gamble Ln. Left turn there, wait for the others and hearing that Charlie had broken a derailleur cable and called an Uber. From there we rode up the steep section of Gamble Ln. Fritz and Arnold attacked, Fritz on his old bike with gravel tires, but I caught them both before the summit. It took a big effort, though. Waited for the others, then got onto Citracado Pkwy to take it down to Harmony Grove Village Rd and then to Harmony Grove Rd. On this stretch, Arnold and I were trading leads, turning the corner onto Elfin Forest Rd together. I started climbing at a steady tempo, and he ended up staying with me almost all the way to the top, passing me a couple of times in attack mode. He cracked on the last little climb, then we rode to Calistoga Way and stopped to wait for the other riders. Jed needed to ride ahead and not stop to get home sooner, so he continued. The others showed up, and some started climbing. I was near the back when I started, caught up with them, including Jed, on this climb, which involved Genoa Way, Baylor Dr, Questhaven Rd (including a little downhill section that I hadn't remembered), and Attebury Rd. We stopped at the pond and waited for everybody to gather for a picture, got most of them but not Kamal, who was lagging behind. Then we continued up to the parking lot that got us over to the descent on Twin Oaks Valley Rd. I was at the back, and the descent was fast, as usual, but I kept feathering the brakes to stay at the back. Down the hill, stopping at a Shell convenience station by the 78 for a quick break, where I ate some dates, a banana, and drank fluids. I think Jed had continued on at this point, so we were down to eight riders. Over to San Marcos Blvd, turning right and using it to get to Mission Rd. Our pace moderated somewhat on this flat stretch through San Marcos, but we sped up after we passed Auto Park Way. Stopped for everybody to gather at the turn onto Washington Ave, which we stayed on into Escondido. To Quince St, turning right (Fritz and I were in the lead here), taking it to 13th Ave and thus to Centre City Pkwy. I got out in front again and led the group to Citracado Pkwy, turning left there and following the route by the back side of the mall over to the bike path. Across the pedestrian bridge, we started climbing. I was in the back, so I had to ride a little harder to catch up to Fritz and Ray out front. Arnold got on my wheel and stayed there as we climbed up W Bernardo Dr. I thought it was Fritz until I saw him as we made the turn onto RB Rd. No stopping on this ride, I powered up that little climb and even pushed the pace on the slight descent back to the starting point. Arnold stayed with me pretty much all the way, pretty impressive. I stayed at the parking lot until everybody showed up (except Kamal, who rode directly home). Just a little time to chat, then I headed home the new normal way via W Bernardo Dr. Legs felt generally strong on this ride, had the push when I needed it. Arnold's effort really caused me to not let up, especially on several climbing segments.
Avg speed = 15.3 mph (15.5 mph). Total mileage = 51.2 mi
Bisikleta route avg speed = 15.5 mph
Avg power = 135 W. Weighted avg power = 172 W
Total elevation gain = 3230' (3240')
Avg heartrate = 127 bpm (Coospo)
Relative Effort = 105 (119)
Training Load = 243
Intensity = 78%
Got home and had some lunch. I was a little more hungry after a ride than usual. Took some time to relax in the early afternoon before heading over to Nick and Jen's house to meet Nick, Emily, and Caleb at 3:00. I drove us to K1 Speed, where Emily and Caleb had gotten us race passes (and t-shirts) for Christmas. I'd done this before on a teambuilding outing with the LEP folks, but it had been a while. The racing was fun, the first heat was better, since there wasn't as much jostling from the other riders. All four of us had fun in the two heats, nobody got involved in any serious collisions. After this excitement I drove us to Draft Republic in Carlsbad for dinner. The others' meals looked and probably tasted better than my Margherita pizza, but there weren't a lot of vegetarian options on the menu. It worked out. The beer tasted good. Drove them back to Nick and Jen's house after dinner, then I headed home. The rest of the evening was quiet, I did a fair amount of reading (had also read in the afternoon) before my eyes started closing around 9:00.
