Mark B
Zen MBB Master
We had a huge group head out on our Saturday morning group ride. Of course, I was the only recumbent. It was cool and overcast in the morning, but that is typical for this time of year. I was Mr. Optimistic, going sleeveless from the start. Others wore arm and leg warmers and vests... I was the poster child for optimism. Come on, it was 60 degrees! We headed for Citrus Park in Riverside. Not too terribly challenging, but a few hills and some stronger riders made it challenging enough. I've taken to doing interval-like riding, where I'll sit back and recover,then take off and go hard for awhile. Usually, I like to pick a respectable grade to power up and get my heart-rate going. Then I'll slow down to recover and let the group catch up. On one such breakaway session yesterday, a group of riders thought that looked like fun and gave chase. I pulled the paceline up Victoria Ave. running between 22 and 25 mph. I had no intention of going out as far as I did, but when I developed a following, I had no choice! By the time we made the turn, though, I was getting pretty close to having blown up. I let the group go around and I sat back and did my best to recover. As we approached our destination, I had again worked my way back to the front and watched as one rider (our club president) set herself up to make a mad dash for the park entrance and be the first one there. I would have none of it. I saw her position herself, then take a look back, at which time I hit it. Another lady saw what was happening and she jumped on my back tire as best she could and we shot around the prez and sprinted for the park. We were the first ones, by far.
We stopped at the park for potty stop and to decide what to do from here. I had intended to carry on further with the stronger crowd and if I fell off the back, I knew my way home. Trouble is, at this time, I realized I had forgotten my fanny pack that held all my tire repair goods, tools and most importantly, food! I made the decision to turn back with some of the crew so I had help if I got a flat. By the time I arrived home, I was famished and had 55 miles on the computer.
Today is our breakfast ride and we have a couple surprises in store for the mothers! It should be fun!
Mark
We stopped at the park for potty stop and to decide what to do from here. I had intended to carry on further with the stronger crowd and if I fell off the back, I knew my way home. Trouble is, at this time, I realized I had forgotten my fanny pack that held all my tire repair goods, tools and most importantly, food! I made the decision to turn back with some of the crew so I had help if I got a flat. By the time I arrived home, I was famished and had 55 miles on the computer.
Today is our breakfast ride and we have a couple surprises in store for the mothers! It should be fun!
Mark
