PM: 3 hours 6' (54.6 miles @ 17.4 MPH). 214W. HR 141.
Thursday Night Dirt Season Opener!
The boys have been on break so our schedule has been a little jumbled and I wasn't planning to do the ride, but I didn't have much time planned for my classes this week and I took the boys for some extra time so Megan could sort some things out for her parents. I decided it was okay to do the ride, which I really wanted to do but didn't think it was appropriate if Megan was going to be with the boys for most of the day when they are typically in school and she is on campus.
It was in the 50s with a decent bit of wind, so I dressed for about 40-45 degrees and it worked out well. Rode to the ride as usual. Greenshield west was loamy and sandy, but the bike was actually floating over it quite well. It is amazing what the weight loss has done on the bike. Takes no effort to get going and maintain speed. Met the group coming up Sheldon. Stayed at the back to get used to riding next to people again then moved up.
One guy off the front going up/down Hixon, so a few took off and I took a strong pull up the hill and put a gap on the group temporarily. I got into a fast group of a few guys and we were moving. We cornered and I thought they would let up, so I tried to get some fluids in knowing I needed some carbs to keep up. That was a mistake. Gap opened and I was never going to cover it.
A few guys caught up with me and I tried to work with them a bit but our rhythm was off. The group caught us going through the Proving Grounds so I figured I would stick with them. A very good ride. Not super fast overall, but windy and an uneven effort.
Chatted for a while and then rode home. I wasn't going to RJ's as I wanted to get home and I didn't want to sit around and then freeze on the way home. It was cold enough and sometimes even in May doing that is too cold.
Loop Data: 19.1-19.3 MPH 247 Watts (275 Normalized). 30.2 miles in 1:33:50.
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