Solo ride initially over to Dave's house, using the bridge and BVP route to Sunset Dr. Around St Timothy's Catholic Church, I got a flat. I had a low tire before I started riding, but I was hoping that I could get through the ride without having to change it. No such luck. I changed the tube, seeing that the flat had come from a thistle still in the tire, and continued riding, pushing the pace because I now knew I was going to be late. Up to Sunset Dr, then up and over to Escondido Blvd, connecting onto Centre City Pkwy and then to Brotherton Rd. I met up with Dave and Jim at Dave's house, filling my tire with air up to riding pressure. We rode Alexander Dr over to Montview Dr, then to Centre City Pkwy. We retraced my route back to BVP, taking it north to the 78. I got out a little ahead of the others on the small climb on BVP, and we gathered back to ride onto the 78. I got out ahead again and rode down the hill solo, waiting for them at the light. From there, we rode together all the way to the base of the climb up toward Ramona. I set a steady pace going up the 5.5 mi steady climb, intending to keep my speed above 10 mph the whole way. I did it, but it was a challenge during the steepest mile of the climb. When I got to Ramona, I stopped to wait for the others, ending up waiting for about 15 min for Dave to get there. It was hot enough for me to be sweating quite a bit while I waited. We headed down the 67 to Highland Valley Rd, riding together and staying together after the turn until it started to climb. I rode ahead, again keeping my pace above 10 mph but having to work at it. We got back together near the summit of the climb and generally rode together down the grades, with me feeling a little bolder on some of the downhill curves. At Bandy Canyon Rd, we turned right and rode down into the valley, getting some separation on the downhill but gathering back up on the flats. After the turn, I got some more separation from the others as Dave and Jim started to slow down more. We took the 78 back, retracing our route. Dave was really slowing down, and Jim too after awhile. It was pretty warm in the valley, and I had to take it really slow on the climb out. Back via BVP to Sunset Dr, where I rode up the little climb and kept it above 10 mph but pushed the limits of my leg strength at times. Same route back to Dave's house as earlier, where Rachel brought out smoothies. They sure tasted good. I rode back home the normal way, riding at a measured pace but not able to push it at all. I was slow on the climb up before the park, then I took it easy on the rest of the way home. It sure was good to be done with that ride. Later in the day, my legs were really sore from the combined efforts of Friday and Saturday.
Avg speed = 16.5 mph. Total mileage = 56.2 mi
Avg heartrate = 137 bpm
Total elevation gain = 3740'
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/526003742