Everyone,
I had the pleasure of riding on the team ride for the first time in a long time. The Saturday ride reminded me of why it is fun to ride in a group. The ride out to the top of the hill near Del Valle was without incident. On the way, we did stop for a short break and Richard explained pacelining to everyone and then we got on with the task. It took about 2 to 3 rotations, but then everything came together quite well. It was neither the most compact nor the fastest paceline, but for a lot of people who hadn’t been in a paceline and hadn’t ridden together before, it went quite well.
Fernando was looking good after a stage race in Columbia and cruised to the top of the Del Valle hill with Henry looking comfortable shortly behind him. We rested and returned home with a bit of pacelining and then too much wheel changing. Broken spokes, flats, and more flats put a little damper on the way home. Everyone, I highly recommend tuffy strips; I don’t leave home without them.
After riding Fernando’s wheel to the top of Pigeon Pass on 84 I was smoked. We descended on 84 and picked up the pace and basically hammered home with one quick break to regroup in Sunol. The regroup lasted a good 30 seconds and it was hammer time. Sandra about took my legs off over the bridge coming down the canyon but I managed to hang on with her, Henry, and Richard until Richard sprinted for the finish at the end of the canyon.
Great job Garry on the SAG. Good ride lead Richard. It was great to meet all of the new people (for me) and see a couple of the old stalwarts. I haven’t made it out much in the past year, but maybe I can get that to change.
Thanks again team. It was good to be back. Now if I can regain some endurance (for my tailbone).
Mike
P.S. We spanned something like 59 years on the ride (age 13 to 72) and still kept a pace not to make me crabby … and that’s saying something, just ask Garry. 🙂