Ride over to church, taking the BVP/Sunset route. I met up with Joe at church, and we headed out Broadway all the way to Jesmond Dene Rd. I kept a decent pace on the last little climb, but it was a steady, not scorching, pace. We headed out the old 395 to Old Castle Rd, and I was really slowed down on the downhill by Lawrence Welk Resort by my windbreaker. I caught up with Joe on the flats. Before going up the climb on Old Castle, I took my jacket off and switched to short-finger gloves. Pretty good on the horseshoe portion of the climb, but quite a bit slower on the middle section, which is the steepest portion. The grade levels out on the latter third of the climb, and it's bearable. Waited at the top for Joe, then we continued onto Lilac Rd, which has a more gradual climb of about a mile and a half that went just fine. We connected again, then headed down and over to Valley Center Rd, taking it pretty easy. I really dialed it back on the last little climb up before the long downhill. Back into town via Valley Pkwy all the way back to Kalmia St, then to the church. Again, this was a slow-paced section for me. I headed back home the normal way via Centre City Pkwy, again not really trying to push the pace. Felt just fine at the end, not really tired, legs in good shape and really good cardio levels.
Avg speed = 16.5 mph. Total mileage = 43.4 mi
Avg heartrate = 124 bpm
Total elevation gain = 1630'
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/348326387
