Solo ride over to John's house following the normal Pomerado Rd route. I had left a little later than I hoped, so I kept a decent pace, not too fast though. I had a good pace on the little climb up to his house, keeping it above 10.5 mph. I met up with him and Dave, and we rode over to Scripps-Poway Pkwy, taking it down to Mercy Rd and then to Black Mountain Rd. I was generally keeping my pace similar to theirs until we started the gradual climb up to Mira Mesa Blvd. Here, I rode steadily and put some distance between me and them. We connected back at Mira Mesa Blvd and rode together down to Camino Ruiz and over to Calle Cristobal. Here, we rode together for awhile, then I stepped up the pace and rode alone up to the downhill and down into Sorrento Valley. At the bottom, I slowed down and waited for them to catch up. I kept a slower pace going up Vista Sorrento Pkwy, and we stayed closer together. After awhile, I separated again, and we reconnected after the turn onto Carmel Mountain Rd and El Camino Real. On the gradual climb up through Del Mar Heights, I kept a decent pace and then waited for them before the downhill into the flats. They can ride downhill faster than me, so they got out ahead and I rode to catch up with them before we turned onto San Dieguito Rd. We all rode together on this stretch to El Apajo and after the turn. When it started to climb, I got some separation and waited for them after the climb on Via de la Valle up to Paseo Delicias. Dave was starting to slow down quite a bit by this time, so I slowed down for a bit until we go onto the climb up Del Dios. Here, I was able to keep my speed above 10.5 mph again on the climbing parts, and I felt like I had a good little finish up to Via Rancho Pkwy. We gathered up again and rode over to the freeway, Dave keeping it slow. A good steady pace across the freeway, not super fast, then onto Pomerado Rd for the ride up to Poway Rd. I got out ahead and rode with a couple of other faster riders who were also sharing the route for a bit. Feeling good on this stretch. We got back together after the turn onto Poway Rd and rode down to Springhurst Rd, Dave lagging as the miles and effort started to get to him. On the climb up to John's house, he started out really fast, and I was content to keep him marked until he slowed down. I think I was able to keep it above 10 mph, but it was a struggle at the end. The ride home was unremarkable, back via Pomerado Rd to RB Rd and over to W Bernardo Dr. At the end of the ride, I felt some tightness in my left quad, probably needed more hydration on this humid day, when I was sweating quite a bit. Felt fine at the end of the ride, no real muscle soreness during the day, just tiredness.
Avg speed = 17.5 mph. Total mileage = 66.6 mi
Avg heartrate = 142 bpm
Total elevation gain = 4030'
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/457230392
