Circle R training ride

Today's ride was a shade over 77 miles of rolling San Diego Hills. It is staying darker in the mornings and I had been tempted to ride to the start as the route on the return came close to my house and I could have dropped off early without the need to drive but I thought better of it.

In total we rode for 5:35 and my average heart rate was 135 for the total ride. According to my computer I burnt just over 4000 calories although we consumed a bit on the way! Group 4 had some new members and Scott and Diane our group leaders intro'd everyone. The was a large turnout in general this morning as vacation season is starting to wrap up. A couple of our riders who had been gone for a few weeks, Jodi and Effran were back.

The ride out was up the familiar coastal route through Solana Beach, Encinitas, Carlsbad to Oceanside. It's funny, as we passed the end of my street we had the first flat tire of the day. A few of us took advantage of this to "lose" the pre ride coffee / tea!

The ride out through Oceanside and the bike path was not a big deal and we suddenly had 24 miles down and done as we arrived at the first "sag" spot to refuel. As always, Tina provided a fine range of the goodies - and then we headed out for the serious part of the ride. It is funny, the training is starting to pay off as although it was hard it was not as hard as previous weeks.

That changed a bit with the climb up to West Lilac, and I did this with Francesca and Diane. Francesca is a strong climbing and having a conversation on the way up took the mind of the heat and hill... we jokingly compared heart rates (geek moment!) and I lost that one!!

Resting at the top we enjoyed some fast, winding descents -- unlike the last couple of weeks these were more "sweeping" and allowed good speed without hairpin turns-- which made it a lot of fun.

David was riding with us again and his determination and guts never cease to amaze me... you just have to watch out for him on the descents as he has no fear !!

The next big chunk of the ride was a series of "rollers" which are like interval training and tax the legs and heart, but are great for building fitness fast- -and it seems to be working as the group now is riding at a pace equal to that of Gp 3 ---

We got to cross that amazing bridge that goes across I15 and to see the monument for the marine killed the other year on his bike by a drunk driver -- always a reminder of the risks that can come from doing something as simple as a bike ride.

The Vista twist part of the ride was familiar and soon we were climbing up towards the coast -- and onto familiar coastal roads back to Solana Beach -- altogether a great day and thanks to Hooter and Diane -- the best group leaders out there -- and Hooter -- shout FLAT next time!!

By the way -- congrats to my friend Elle who won her age group yesterday in the triathlon in LV.. must have been all the sea air last week!!