Slept somewhat fitfully, maybe it was the combination of a big dinner and the Pepsi I had at the airshow. Got up a little early and changed out the pads on my rear disc brakes, which were worn down and rubbing against the rotor. Got ready for the ride and headed over to the parking lot by Marco's Pizza, where the following riders showed up: Ray, Perse, Fritz, Arnold, Jed, Jed A., James, Nel, Jhonar, and Andy. I had mapped out the route, so I took the lead, riding up W Bernardo Dr and over to Bernardo Center Dr, turning left and taking it down the hill to turn right onto Bernardo Heights Pkwy. On the climbs, I was leading out, and for the most part the others were staying back, likely conserving their energy for a harder day. Took this road over to Pomerado Rd, turning right there (I waited for everybody to catch up) and riding down to Twin Peaks Rd, where we turned left. We were supposed to meet Edson here, and I ended up looking for Fritz in the Target parking lot after he went to find Edson (they were already riding ahead of me). Got behind everybody, I caught up with James but had to wait until the right turn on Espola Rd and the climb up to Poway Rd to catch the others. We gathered at that turn and then headed downhill after James showed up. My original route had us going to Community Rd, but for some reason I thought the route was going to take us up Sycamore Canyon Rd via Garden Rd. James didn't know that, so I had to push really hard on the downhill to catch up to him on Poway Rd and get him to turn around to meet up with the others. The Sycamore Canyon climb is a short one, and Fritz and Arnold stayed with me on the climb as I put in a pretty big effort here. We waited for everybody else to show up, then took the little ramp up to Scripps-Poway Pkwy, crossing the road and heading west. I got out ahead of the others again and rode solo all the way down to the left turn onto Pomerado Rd. Several other riders showed up, Edson and Andy had continued up Scripps-Poway Pkwy to the 67, and another group stopped to help Perse fix a flat. They eventually showed up, and we climbed up Pomerado Rd to Stonebridge Pkwy, turning left there. I started out at a fairly modest pace, while Jhonar and Ray raced each other up the first two little climbs. Then I buckled down and started pushing, with Fritz and Arnold hanging on. Jed A. also tried to hang on for a bit but went too deep and had to back off. Eventually, I was able to shake the others and get to the top, where James (who had ridden ahead) was waiting. I ended up setting a PR (13:39,221 W, 151 bpm) for the segment from Pomerado Rd to the top, felt pretty good about that. We gathered up at the top, then took Via Santa Pradera to Beeler Canyon Rd, down the steep descent, aided by the gate near the bottom being open, then over to Creek Rd to get back to Pomerado Rd. On this stretch, it was me and Fritz in the lead, with the others following. We stopped at the Chevron station on the corner for our break, then continued on, getting back onto Scripps-Poway Pkwy and taking it all the way to the 67. Again, I put in a bigger effort and gapped all the others right away, was fortunate to hit all the lights green, and had a decent (not great) time up the Purple Monster climb. This ended up being my second-fastest time from Pomerado Rd to the 67, 12 seconds slower than when I did it in August. Waited for the others at the turn north on the 67. They had a little head start before James showed up, then I ended up catching and passing them all on the stretch to the pass by Mt Woodson. Jed A. turned toward home at Poway Rd, and Edson and Andy were still way ahead of us. Down to Archie Moore Rd, where we gathered up again and rode over to Highland Valley Rd. Once again, I, along with James, got out in front of the others on the descent to HVR, and I was feeling pretty good on the little climb up to the top before the descents. Pushed pretty hard all the way back to Pomerado Rd and got there just before four others - Ray, Jed, Fritz, and Arnold- showed up. They had been working together to catch me and almost did. I set a PR (27:56, 155 W, 139 bpm) for the segment from Archie Moore to Pomerado. From there it was the usual way back to the starting point. I was behind the others again on the climb up to RB Community Park, but I caught them and rode with the leaders to the base of the last climb. Fritz and Arnold were pushing the pace, and I was working hard to keep up. About halfway up, I passed Fritz, and he couldn't hold the pace, dropping back. I stayed in front for a bit, then here comes Arnold passing me. Gathered my last energy and pushed hard to pass him and create a gap before the turn to get back into the parking lot. That took a good amount of effort, but my legs were solid and held out. On the ride, both Jhonar and Perse cramped up, neither had been riding much recently. The others suffered but held up well.
Avg speed = 15.8 mph. Total mileage = 51.7 mi
Avg power = 157 W. Weighted avg power = 189 W
Total elevation gain = 4470'
Avg heartrate = 133 bpm (Coospo)
Relative Effort = 138
Training Load = 286
Intensity = 86%
We had lunch at Marco's Pizza after the ride. I had soda while most of the others drank beer. Gideon showed up later, as well as Cam, just back from his Europe trip. I rode home after that and watched a little NCAA football in the afternoon and in the evening. Nothing else special.
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