Lunch Ride - The Return of Braveheart

Strava:  http://app.strava.com/rides/1705193

On Shannon's first outing since he got back, it seemed the thought of riding with him thinned out the participants today to only Eric and me.  Eric was smart enough to get a head start though, so we only saw him here and there throughout the ride.  PV was suppose to come out too, but had a flat tire that kept him from coming out on time.  Why didn't I think of that?  Good one!

I had my GoPro on so when I get home, I'll have to publish the video somewhere and add to this blog.  I watched the raw state, and it was pretty decent although I could probably opt to do wide screen next time.  In it, you'll see me following Shannon about 80% of the ride.  It wouldn't be as interesting if I rode up front more, now would it?

Anyway, I think I know why everyone ditched under the premise of meetings, flat tires, etc.  I got worked today.  It may have been the anxiety that did it from Shannon already naming Strava segments for this ride and no one else but me to suffer the punishment.  In any case, I felt pretty wrecked when we got back.

I popped of Shannon's wheel both going up NPC and Pelican, but at least I could still see him on the video.  Shannon ended up getting a 3rd on the Pelican drop from today's effort.  No wonder.

We did check up a little once we got on PCH and as we made our way through CDM, but we picked it up some after getting back on PCH from Avocado.  We did get a little held up on Bayside (or is it Bayshore?) by an SUV, but picked it back up some as we rode by the trailer park.

As we got on Back Bay Drive, Shannon had asked me about a strategy for Back Bay.  In my mind, the warning bells started to go off where I started to prepare for pain.  We took off and alternated throughout the run (probably 60/40) and between the two of us couldn't get through all the shifting wind on the ride where we managed a 27.1 average only.  Only?!?  I need new riding friends.

We still kept the pace up on University, and at the bottom of CA, Shannon asked me if I had enough?  I would have answered with a resounding YES had me asked me at the top of NPC.  Despite this, we still worked through the winds pushing each other as we went up CA.  I'll seriously need to dub the video later so you can't hear me crying.

Our average for today may not have reflected how painful this ride was, but I was beyond cooked when we got back.  It was nice that PV did the same route (minus the trailer park and Ocean Blvd) at nearly the same average.  What a stud!

I hope there will be more reinforcements for tomorrow's ride.  Welcome back, Shannon!

Here's the video:  (I know, I know...just messing around with iMovie for the first time)