Rode with John and Dave, saw Kevin Miller at the start. J and D wanted to get out front early and ride with the leaders, so we did. This group set a fast pace, particularly after the turn on Camino Ruiz and down into Sorrento Valley. We stayed with them, and John even led the ride at the turn onto Vista Sorrento Pkwy. Then the group split, with the stronger climbers pulling ahead. I stayed in the middle of this pack and tried to hang on as long as I could, which ended up being by the turn onto Via de la Valle. They kept going fast, but I needed to slow down. Had a problem around this time with my cyclometer, where the magnet got turned around and it wasn't registering. Stopped near the base of the first climb up Del Dios Hwy to fix it, and Dave caught up. I rode away from him on the climb, was feeling pretty good and keeping the pace above 10 mph. Another group of 4 riders passed me at the top, and I couldn't hang on to the back end of their pace line. Headed down Rancho Dr to Lake Dr, where they had set up a sag stop, and I waited for Dave and John. John had a flat, but the guy at the stop fixed it for him. We started again, had to climb a short, steep section to get up to Via Rancho Pkwy. Not too long after this, I flatted on the little climb, and I was really steamed. Bad tires. Changed the flat and the tire at the same time, then continued on, riding with Dave and waiting occasionally for John to catch up. We met Susanne at Rios Rd, and John had to fix another flat here. My pace going up Pomerado Rd was pretty good. I pumped up my tire at the Twin Peaks Rd sag stop, and we continued. May met us just beyond Scripps-Poway Pkwy, then we headed up the last significant hill. It wasn't too bad. The weather was warm and muggy but not too hot. I kept a steady pace on this climb, passing others (we were toward the back of the pack by that time). Fast and together down Pomerado Rd, then some separation when we turned into the Scripps Ranch neighborhood. Dave rode close but couldn't hang on any of the longer gradual uphill sections. I finished strong, arriving in about 2:33, a great time for me. My left hamstring had started to tighten up as we entered the neighborhood, but it didn't interfere with my pedaling. On the way out of the park, Dave and I made a wrong turn and got mixed up in the parade route, which was kinda funny.
Avg. speed = 19.3 mph. Total mileage = 49.4 mi
Avg heartrate = 163 bpm (wow!)
Total elevation gain = 2130'
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/40040446
