How to Survive a BRCM Lunch Ride

Strava:  http://www.strava.com/activities/111614332

I bet you thought I was going to write about today's lunch ride.  Instead, I decided I'm going to do something that I think people have been waiting for a LONG time...sharing the secrets of what it takes to survive our lunch ride - the first edition.  Of course, I'll base it on today's ride, so your "educators" (aka the list of today's riders) incude Hiroshi, Todd, Mitchell, Steve, Jaffe, Vin, Adrian, Peter and me.

• When we meet at the corner, quietly evaluate the riders who come out and ask yourself "which strong rider can I take total advantage of?"  I'm pretty sure there are rare occasions when I have that bulls eye on my back, but it must be on flatter routes or when I have my TT bike. 
•  Make sure your bike is well tuned or not only do you risk not surviving the ride, you also risk the high probability that you'll be called an "amateuer" or worse yet, "STUPID!"
• If no one is complaining, stay in the draft as long as you can.  This works for a LOT of people.  In fact, there may even be instances when that's what they do for 95% of the ride.
• In the beginning of the ride, forget all ideas of warming up.  If you're not ready for a fast start, then be ready to ride alone.  Sorry, Peter.
• Along the lines of the first bullet above, take advantage of the climber by letting him pull on the hills as much as possible.  Todd did a bulk of the pulling heading out to Bonita Canyon and definitely all the way up NPC.
• Impress the others by taking chances on occasion and attacking when least expected.  Hiroshi started the ride off and was actually the first to take off only to have Todd reel him in by Anteater.   Hiroshi also launch a couple attacks on Pelican.  By doing this, you make the others wonder if coffee crew rides are paying off and to not chase down too aggressively.  R-E-S-P-E-C-T.   
• The down side of attacking is that you do run the risk of getting attacked back.  After Todd was doing a bulk of the work on NPC, mine and Hiroshi's attacks (although mine was teeny tiny because I know better) were countered with a huge response on the final loop up Pelican passing us both on the final climb.   Of course, this led to more attacks on San Joaquin, Back Bay, the University bike trail, and up CA. 
• Be someone's wingman.  This allows you to have someone do a bulk of the work for you, but you will be expected to return the favor on occasion.  
• If someone is smiling at some point during the ride, be ready for an attack.  Todd caught me smiling as we were heading down toward Back Bay and made the proper adjustments to respond.  
• If you think you can break away but have 2-3 strong people chasing you, check yourself before you wreck yourself.  I broke away as soon as I got on Back Bay and realized that it was pointless when the three behind me were closing.  
•  If you're mode of climbing is fast early on and blowing up, this definitely won't work.  However, Adrian proved today that setting a tempo that is half the speed of the rest of the group at the base of the hill ALSO won't work.  
• If you do not have the same tempo as others who are pulling away from you, try latching on to anyone who passes.  They may slow for you if you do, but if you don't let them know about the gap that's occurring, they may not be as willing.  Right, Vin and Jaffe?
• Wearing BRCM gear is always favorably looked upon.  While this may not help you keep up, you'll look damn sexy and can tell others that it's a recovery day from all the racing.

There are definitely more "secrets" to learn in surviving our lunch rides, but I can't give them all away on the first edition.  Plus, there are lessons to be learned from every one of our rides that can differ from one to another, so stay tuned until the next edition.  Until then, HTFU!

Peace!