Dave gave me a ride over to the starting point for the ride, where we geared up and met up with John. We were near the lead group at the start of the ride, and it was a large group that was able to hang together, due in part to lucky timing at some stop lights. I was able to stay in this group without a huge effort, but it was dicey avoiding all of the riders in close company as well as the road conditions. We rode to Camino Ruiz, and there was initially some separation here, but the peloton came back together on Calle Cristobal. I was in the middle of the group, while John and Dave were more on the outside, having to work a little harder to stay there. I saw John every once in awhile but not Dave. The downhill into Sorrento Valley was fast but not too scary. More separation on Vista Sorrento Pkwy, where I worked to get a little closer to the front. I actually led for a short period just before the turn onto Carmel Mountain Rd, but I dropped back at the turn onto El Camino Real, where some guy came really close on my right side at the turn. I stayed with the group up to the top and down into the flats by San Dieguito Rd. I was working hard to stay with the group, not really feeling strong enough to push up to the front. Stayed with them onto El Apajo and then Via de la Valle, keeping in there on the little climb up to Paseo Delicias. By this time, the group was spread out, and I was toward the back end. I stayed here to the base of the climb up Del Dios, giving it a very good effort on my part up this climb, particularly the first part. At the turn onto Via Rancho Pkwy, I stopped to wait for John and Dave, as we had agreed earlier. It was about a 20-minute wait. We rested briefly, then kept going. I got some more separation and waited for them by the freeway, where we crossed and got onto Pomerado Rd. We started on this section together, and I kept a decent pace but not super fast. It was warm and quite humid, and I was sweating with my effort. I got out ahead and rode to the last sag stop by Twin Peaks Rd, where I waited a couple of minutes for them, having some Gatorade and a couple of pieces of banana. We continued on, more separation for me on this gradual climb up to the steeper climb to the top of Pomerado Rd. I made a decent run on this latter climb but not great. Kept my speed above 8 mph but couldn't do any better on this day. We gathered back together at the top and rode down together for much of this section. I kept a fast pace even on the downhill, feeling good in my legs and wanting to have a solid finish. On the last little climbs at Willow Creek Rd and Carroll Canyon Rd/Scripps Ranch Blvd, as well as Scripps Lake Dr, I pushed myself to drive hard. The finish was downhill, and I was able to complete the ride in 2:30:01, feeling pretty good about this time. My legs held up really well, no cramping or tightness at all. I pushed my cardio several times during the ride, getting up to 175 bpm in stretches when I rode to stay with the lead group in the first half of the ride.
Avg speed = 19.7 mph. Total mileage = 49.4 mi
Avg heartrate = 153 bpm
Total elevation gain = 3220'
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/462946958
