Today’s was my first group ride of the season. The entire route would have taken me 70 miles, give or take a few, and breakfast at the half-way point at the Beehive Cafe in Bristol. After leg problems on yesterday’s run and a family vacation coming up on Thursday, I felt it prudent to shorten it by about 20 miles. The total mileage for me today was 48, which is just 8 miles short of my HIM ride, so I now have a fairly good indicator of how long it will take to complete that leg of the race. The good news is that it’ll be in less time than I originally estimated; not by alot, but enough to make me just a little giddy. Another thing I’m happy about is that I nailed my nutrition (peanut butter and nutella on whole wheat bread with a teaspoon of chia seeds, a bottle of water and half a cup of coffee). The only thing I’ll do differently next time is carry my ride nutrition (cliff bar and gel blocks) in my jersey pocket so I don’t have to stop to get it out of trunk. One last valuable lesson learned on today’s group ride: stay ahead of or three or more bike lengths behind the guy who blows snot rockets. Yuck!
A man, his wife, and their gorgeous firestorm life
