Solo ride from home to church, taking the normal short route via BVP and Sunset Dr. I was feeling good, and the weather was moderate, so I made pretty good time getting over there. I met up with Andy Sweet, and we headed over Kalmia St to 2nd Ave and then onto Grand Ave, heading over to BVP. We were riding a steady but not super-fast pace, spending some time chatting. Over BVP to Valley Pkwy, taking it all the way up the grade and to Woods Valley Rd. I started up the grade at a good pace and kept it pretty easily above 10 mph all the way to past the turn and getting into the final steeper section, where I just couldn't keep it going. With a lot of effort, I kept it above 8 mph all the way to the top. MapMyRide says that I got up this grade 3 sec faster than my previous time, which was when I was training for the BP MS150 and was in really good shape. That's a pretty good accomplishment. Waited at the light for Andy for catch up, then we rode together on a fairly leisurely pace up to Lake Wohlford Rd. This was a really nice section of the ride, tree-lined and perfect temperature. Then we took Lake Wohlford Rd back to Valley Pkwy. On the downhill section, I did okay, only braking a little into the left curves, still not feeling fully comfortable with these turns and having to deal with a sketchy road, torn up pavement in a number of places. We headed back to church via Valley Pkwy to Juniper St, hitting lots of lights along the way. I took the normal fast way back home via Centre City Pkwy, again feeling pretty good and keeping up a good pace. Across the freeway, where the wind started to work against me, so I didn't roll out too fast here. Steady climbs to finish the ride off. It was pretty warm at the finish, still felt decent although a little dehydrated.
Avg speed = 17.1 mph. Total mileage = 36.5 mi
Avg heartrate = 144 bpm
Total elevation gain = 1610'
