09-08-2013 Rides

Ride from home over to W Bernardo Dr, heading to Dave's house via the normal route, when I realized I'd forgotten my helmet.  So I raced back home, got it, and raced over to his house.  Got there a couple of minutes late, and we started off, all four present.  Jim started out fast, but I was trying to keep my pace down.  Still throughout the ride, various guys would lead out and I was foolish enough to stay with them.  We all rode together to the base of the little climb up to Poway Rd.  John was riding fast at the beginning of this climb, so I stayed with him until he slowed down, then I kept the pace up to finish by keeping my speed above 10 mph.  We gathered back up at the top and rode together down Poway Rd until Jim started to drop back.  We waited for him just past Pomerado Rd, then rode together until John and I split away.  He and I rode until beyond the turn at Sabre Springs Pkwy, when he fell back on the incline section.  I stayed with John and Dave on Ted Williams Pkwy, and on Pomerado Rd Dave led out with me following.  I took the lead and kept the pace going.  As Dave started to fade a little bit, I sensed John coming on the left, so I let it all hang out and led to the turn at Rios Rd (I paid for this effort later).  Finished in 56:10.  On the ride home, my legs were really tired, so I took RB Rd to W Bernardo Dr and basically coasted home.

Total mileage = 24.6 mi
Avg heartrate = 135 bpm
Total elevation gain = 1010'

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/378332455

Second ride in the middle of the afternoon, riding from home to church via the Juniper route.  It was pretty warm, windy from the west, and my legs were completely worn out.  I met up with Joe at church, and we headed over Broadway to Mission Ave and out, right into the wind.  It was particularly bad on the stretch between the I-15 and Nordahl Ave.  I was really struggling, and Joe wasn't far behind in the suffering.  We settled into something of a rhythm, and I found some strength reserves to keep going out to Palomar College, where we turned around and had the benefit of a tailwind all the way back into Escondido.  It was nice, although my legs wouldn't allow me to take full advantage of the push.  We cut through using the Hale Ave route over to Valley Pkwy and back to church.  On the way home, I took Centre City Pkwy and just ground it out, with no drive left in my legs.  The wind worked against me on the stretch over Lake Hodges, and it was pretty slow.  I was really slow going up the hill toward the park, the slowest I've been there in a long time.  In hindsight, this was a ride that I wasn't ready for.

Avg speed = 16.4 mph. Total mileage = 28.6 mi
Avg heartrate = 129 bpm
Total elevation gain = 700'

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/378610193