Well, this was an epic ride. Left from home and experienced some misting, which wasn't a good sign. But I kept going, through the neighborhood to RB Rd, then turning right onto Alva Rd and riding through that 4S Ranch neighborhood. Around this time, I realized that my Fitbit hadn't started recording the ride, so I turned it on. Out at Four Gee Rd, where I turned right and rode up to the top before turning around and meeting the others at the 4S Target. On this ride at the start were: Audrey, Zac, Gideon, Perse, Cam, Jed, Ray, and Charlie. All strong riders, which meant it was going to be a workout day. Out Camino del Sur to the 56 bike trail. Perse and Gideon passed me on the little climb before San Dieguito Rd, but on the flat I laid out at high speed and passed them both. Attacks from others on all of the climbs on this day, and all I tried to do was not get too far behind. I was mostly in the middle of the riders during this day. Took the bike trail down to El Camino Real, where Perse and Gideon split off to head back, and we headed south to Carmel Mountain Rd, I kept on Zac's wheel on that little climb. Right there and then a left onto Vista Sorrento Pkwy, taking it down to Sorrento Valley Blvd, where we turned right and got onto the bike path that parallels I-5. I kept it dialed back on this climb, knowing it was going to be a long day. Onto Gilman Dr, where the roads were pretty wet and it was drizzling. Right again onto Gilman Dr, riding through the UCSD campus and then on a nice downhill to get to the Rose Canyon Bike Path. This is a new path, really nice until you get to the old part, where it is too narrow for cross traffic. We followed into Mission Bay Park,, getting onto E Mission Bay Dr and making pretty good time on the flats, although I was putting in a significant effort to hang with Cam until the others caught up. We did the time trial route around Fiesta Island, my first time riding there, and I did better than expected. Zac really killed it, and the others got out ahead, Ray more so, at the start. But over time I was able to reel Ray in, along with a small group of the others, including Jed. The three of us traded leads, but I had a little extra at the end and finished second in the group. A brief rest, then we rode over to Sea World Dr, riding on a combination of roads and bike paths to get to Ingraham St. Left to get to Crown Point, where we stopped to a restroom break and then waited while Cam changed a flat. Took a series of surface streets to Balboa Ave, then turned left onto Soledad Mountain Rd. I was kinda hoping not to have to do this climb on this day, but alas. Did okay on the climb, set a Strava PR for the segment, but couldn't keep up with Zac, Ray, or Jed. We rode up to the overlook for another short break, then we headed down via Nautilus St, with me taking it really easy due to not wanting to build up too much speed on wet roads. Right on La Jolla Blvd and then another right onto Prospect St to get over to Torrey Pines Rd. We then turned left onto La Jolla Shores Dr, and the climb up to N Torrey Pines Rd was really tough, steep and on tiring legs. I couldn't match the pace of Jed or Ray but felt pretty good coming third on the climb in such a group. We stayed on that road down toward the beach at Torrey Pines, and on the way down my cyclometer speed sensor loosened up, so I had to stop and adjust it. Another regroup after we turned off the coast hwy onto Carmel Valley Rd, where we rode up a ways and then turned around to use the restrooms by the State Beach. From there, it was back to the 56 bike path, where we retraced our route to the 4S Target. Just after turning onto Camino del Sur, Charlie got a flat, so we helped him fix it. People's legs were getting tired, mine included, and the pace slowed down. Still, it was Ray and Jed who were a cut above the others, and I spent the last part of the ride on Camino del Sur either riding with them or watching them get out ahead of me. Got back to the starting point after those two, and I could really tell I was in calorie deficit. Surprisingly, my legs didn't cramp up at all. The ride back home was slow but uneventful. This was the longest ride I have ridden since the Shanti Ride in Israel, and I felt pretty good during it, not able to lead much but able for the most part of keep in sight of the leaders.
Avg speed = 16.0 mph. Total mileage = 78.2 mi
Total elevation gain = 4370'
Avg heartrate = 132 bpm
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