Solo ride from home in the morning. It was a little over 40 deg at the start, but I knew it was going to warm up, so I didn't wear tights. I was normally bundled up in my torso and hands, and it was just fine after an initial chill. Headed through the neighborhood to RB Rd and took it over to Camino del Norte, where I turned left. I didn't feel really strong throughout the ride, and I had also planned on not stressing things too much. Headed up to Pomerado Rd, turned left and took this all the way down to the freeway. It had been warming up but was cooler on Pomerado, mainly because the road was in the shade for most of the time. Headed over the freeway and got onto BVP, taking it to the 78. At the top of the little climb, I stopped for a brief rest and to take off my long gloves, jacket, and hat. Got onto Citrus Ave and took this over to Del Norte Rd. Down to Broadway and over to Jesmond Dene Rd. Here the wind was pretty steadily in my face, not too breezy. I kept a moderate pace on this section and still managed to keep over 10 mph on the last little climbing section. Back onto Centre City Pkwy and up to Deer Springs Rd/Twin Oaks Valley Pkwy. The wind seemed to be swirling during the ride. Turned right on Buena Creek Rd, again keeping my pace moderate. My cyclometer stopped working about at this point, and I was feeling kinda tired. So the downhill section was welcome. Got onto Mission Rd, and those little uphill sections were a chore. I turned right on Las Posas Rd to get some additional miles in, taking it over to San Marcos Blvd, again turning right and heading up to Discovery St. I was wearing down here, so I stopped for a break after turning onto Craven Rd. Had some water and a gel packet, then continued on, following the normal route here to Twin Oaks Valley Rd and onto Barham Dr. This section was also plodding on the little uphills, and I felt like I was riding into the wind. Took this to Mission Rd and headed over to Centre City Pkwy. I was hitting lights on Centre City, which was annoying but allowed me to catch my breath. The wind wasn't a big factor until I got past Felicita Rd, when it seemed to be in my face for a period of time. Back home over the freeway and the normal route by the park. The ride over the bridge was aided by wind, and I made good time up the last two little climbs, working to finish right at 3:00.
Avg speed = 17.9 mph. Total mileage = 53.7 mi
Avg heartrate = 141 bpm
Total elevation gain = 2730'
