another 'too' fast ride

I've been biking over 200 miles a week for a while now. I think that's a lot of miles, but the pros do 500 miles a week - unbelievable!

I did a 65 mile ride with the club. It was listed as a full on 'A' ride. I was pretty excited, thinking there wouldn't be much holding back.

On the first big hill (Skelp Level), I decide to try out some new climbing tactics I've been using during my bike commute - maybe too fast too early.

Then we hit the relatively flat section of 282. The group was holding back for some reason, but I decided to be patient and fall back into the peleton and not jump to the front right away.

Then the A-minus group catches up with us at about mile 11. Now we have over 30 people in the peleton - waaay too many on these roads.

After a mile or two on this flat stretch, I find myself at the front of the peleton and decide to kick it up a few notches. Apparently I was pulling at over 30mph and the paceline got disconnected - I didn't realize it until I ended my turn up front - it was me and two others. Ian was a beast and hung on my wheel the whole pull. I'm glad I wasn't alone!

We split from the A-minus group and start another minor climb and people are joking about how fast I was going. I took a little heat for going 'too fast', but I think if we hadn't mixed in with the slower group, the group I was riding with would have stuck together.

It was a good ride - we just need to work on a consistent, steady pace.

At the end, my legs were toast. I loved every minute of it (except the whining).

Day off tomorrow I think.