Slept reasonably well (<!>). I was scheduled to meet Paula at her house at 8:30, so I got ready for this bike ride. It was in the low 40s when I left home, I had arm warmers, arm sleeves, and full-finger gloves on. Was fine for temperature as I rode by the park and across the freeway, getting onto Via Rancho Pkwy to head up to Felicita Rd. As I started this little climb, I was warming up, as was the temperature. Over to Gamble Ln, turning left and taking it to Bernardo Ave to get to 11th Ave. I was a little overdressed by this time but figured it might be cold later on. Left on Del Dios Rd, then a right on Avenida del Diablo to get to Citracado Pkwy, where I turned right. Left on Harmony Grove Village Pkwy and down to Harmony Grove Rd, turning left there. Nice riding weather on this stretch, was cool in the shade. I wanted to make sure I got there on time, so I didn't let up on the climb up Elfin Forest Rd to San Elijo Rd. Could have pushed harder though. Right turn there and then the climb (seemed tougher than last time) up to Double Peak Rd, where I turned left and then left again on Atherton St. I got there about 10 minutes early, which was what I was shooting for. Unfortunately, the others weren't ready to roll at 8:30 as originally planned. Eric Ross showed up right around 8:30, we didn't get rolling until closer to 8:45. Mildly frustrating, but I wasn't on a strict time schedule. By the time I got to there house, it was warm enough to ditch the jacket, full-finger gloves, and arm warmers. We retraced the route I had just ridden all the way back to Citracado Pkwy, where we stayed on it until turning right onto Del Dios Hwy. Catalin had gotten out ahead on the initial descent after the turn, but I caught him near the top of the little climb that followed, then kept powering to create some separation for the bigger descent. Was a little worried about my bike wobbling during this descent, but it was fine, just need to stay relaxed in the upper body and not translate any motion to the wheels through my handlebars. I descended fairly quickly and then took the following climb at a decent pace, waiting in the little turnoff area that I usually use. It took a while for the others to show, and I talked to this chatty lady who was out for a walk until Paula showed up. Catalin had ridden ahead, so we rode to the turn onto El Camino del Norte, where he was taking a video of us. Past the turn, Eric ramped up his energy, and I matched his pace. I kept pushing hard after the left turn and gapped him, then pushed a little bit on the descent to RSF Rd. We waited for the others at the turn and then rode up to 13th St, where we turned right and took a very short, steep ascent into a little established neighborhood. Left turn on C St and another left onto 14th St, which caught me off guard and caused me to lose my chain when I tried to change gears too fast. Caught up with the others at the top, where we stopped briefly for a break and to take a couple of pics. Then it was down to Olive Crest Dr, which got us back to RSF Rd. We took it, for a change, all the way to the right turn, Eric and I were riding faster and put some distance between us and the others as we turned on Camino de los Coches, then left on Calle Timiteo (Paula and Catalin caught up to us at this light). Up to La Costa Ave, turning right and then right again on Circulo Sequoia. Eric and I were out in front again as we turned left on Sitio Manana and right on Calle Palmito. A right on Avenida Amapola got us to Camino Junipero, where we waited, for the last time, for Paula and Catalin. We turned left and took it back to RSF Rd, then up and down to San Elijo Rd. I was tiring by this time, while Eric still had more gas in the tank. We matched pace up to the right turn onto Elfin Forest Rd, taking it over to Calistoga Way and turning left there. From this point, it was all I could do to try and match his pace. Thankfully, he wasn't pushing so hard that he gapped me. We rode up to the little path that connected us to Genoa Way, turned left there and rode up to Baylor Dr, where I got through the gate first and onto Questhaven Rd. We turned left shortly after on Blue Water Ln and then got onto another bike path, a nice one, that connected us to Leeward Ave, where we turned right. Eric was getting ahead of me, then I would push and close the gap a little bit. Left on Hollowbrook Ct and right on Eclipse Dr, which got us, thankfully, to San Elijo Rd with just a little more climbing until the turn onto Double Peak Dr and back to Atherton St.
Avg speed = 14.8 mph. Total mileage = 46.4 mi
Avg power = 156 W. Weighted avg power = 183 W
Total elevation gain = 4060'
Avg heartrate = 132 bpm (Coospo)
Relative Effort = 123
Training Load = 240
Intensity = 83%
I was sure glad Ann was coming to meet us for lunch because I was pretty wiped out with all the climbing. Eric's wife Nicole also showed up for lunch, and we ate in the back yard, where I felt bad for the others who weren't shaded by the umbrella. Food was decent, not great, but the beers tasted good after the tough ride. We left around 12:30, and Ann mentioned in the car that she didn't like Catalin's treatment of Paula (she's right). So I don't think we are going to become couple friends. She drove us home, where I had the chance to take a short, much needed nap before we went to an afternoon concert. It was at La Jolla Presbyterian Church, the Spanish Brass were performing. I drove down, the traffic getting into La Jolla was, as usual on a weekend, terrible. This is definitely not my kind of city. The concert was okay, musicians were great, but the songs weren't catchy. I could appreciate the artistry, but it could have been shorter by 30 minutes and I wouldn't have minded. Drove home, again having to navigate traffic to get out of La Jolla. I made scrambled eggs for a late dinner, then watched some TV before heading to bed.
