Lunch Ride #23 - Team Bon Voyage to the Big Guy

Attendees:  Attendees:  Gary, Shannon, Todd, Mitchell, Jaffe, Hiroshi, Seon (and PV for the pic!)

The other day, my youngest son (oh I hope he never finds this blog) had a girl crush his heart for the very first time by breaking up with him.  Like his father, he was an emotional wreck after and didn't handle it very well.  Being a member of the BAM club, I knew I was obligated to teach him about rule #5 and that life will come with all sorts of ups and downs where as men, we're measured by how we deal with the challenges.  The irony of it all was that for today's ride, I was an emotional wreck.  To know that this would be the end of an era and the last "official" lunch ride with Gary was a little overwhelming being what we've been through over the years.  I don't know if the others noticed I was a little quieter than usual (my attempt at rule #5), but inside I just kept thinking how I'm going to appreciate every minute of the ride and be thankful for all the journeys we've shared together.  Plus, this would not be a full parting of ways but just a reason to make more of an effort to ride together on the weekends.

The team pic I took before the ride (now the blog banner pic) was really cool where even PV came out on his mountain bike to round out the picture perfectly.  Every color was worn and almost every iteration of the Broadcom cycling jersey we've had over the years (except the latest Castelli) was represented.  It was perfect given that it helped remind of the many years we've all been riding together.  It all started out with this one:

The OG Crew

As for the ride itself, it was what I would call good for the soul.  In addition to being able to ride with Gary, the rest of the team honored him and rode as a team throughout.  There were moments of separation here and there, but everyone did their part to do rolling regroups and just show those we rode by that we are in fact a "team."  Sure there were some BAM moments here and there, but that's just the added flavor our rides are known for.  In other words, it wouldn't be a Broadcom lunch ride without it.  I really do want to thank everyone who made it out to help make this a special ride for the big guy.

Here are some of the pics I took from the ride:

Gary wondering who's miniature bike is behind his

A little blurry but that famous smile still comes through

Chillin' with the crew pre-ride

Bottom of California

SG leading the pack with GTJ

Waiting for the light on Poppy

And waiting

Falling behind taking pic on Ocean Blvd

The legendary S-G

We're going to have a weekend team ride on 4/11 with Gary and do it like we used to.  That one should be badass to say the least, so I'm really looking forward to it.  We'll probably be roasting G after throwing some (or several) back, but all in good spirit.  I'll save my S-G commentary for the blog following that ride.  For now, I'll just say it even in the absence of alcohol...love ya, big guy!

Lunch Ride #22 - LIfe is About Lessons Learned

Strava:  https://www.strava.com/activities/273542505

Attendees:  Shannon, Mitchell, Vin, Seon, Jaffe and me

If we take the time to do so, we can learn from every one of our experiences as we go through life. Here are the lessons I learned from today's ride:

• Even if it's completely absurd, it's probably not the smartest thing to proclaim that we dropped Shannon out loud (in reference to last Thursday's ride when he was pulling back for the race that evening).  Right, Mitchell?
• Not sure what's dumber, proclaiming the above or me subsequently writing about it for Shannon to read.  Probably equal.
• Trying to keep up with Shannon on a day of reckoning is about as futile as trying to stick a square peg in a round hole.  Right, Mitchell?
• Shannon can pretty much break people off at any time on the hill..even from a stop light...multiple times...
• Being a hero and trying to do longer pulls is pretty dumb.  This group is far too strong to believe I can still respond to attacks.  I was dropped two times by Mitchell and Vin and I couldn't defend a sprint on Bison against Vin.  
• If you don't bring a water bottle, expect things to not feel good toward the end of the ride...especially your left calf. 
• When you get the idea of taking it easy and enjoying the ride, you may want to not take off down California ahead of everyone else. 
• When you have a chance again, bring your TT bike as it's the only feasible way you can keep up with the rest of these guys. 
• Jaffe and Seon hold a nicer pace on hilly rides.  Find them on the next one and stay there.
• There is always a Thursday ride to look forward to after Tuesday.  
• Don't blog after a long day or...zzzzzzz

TEAM Lunch Ride #21 - The Butterfly Effect

Strava:  https://app.strava.com/activities/270885834

Attendees:  Shannon, Todd, Hiroshi, Mitchell, Jaffe, Vin and Seon

Today, we had Todd come back after a rather lengthy hiatus (more than 2 weeks), and it's always great to have him out given his selfless pulls.  Hiroshi also came out today and was on his TT bike where upon his arrival,  chants of "cheater bike" filled the air.  I'm empathetic given I was on my TT bike Tuesday, but since I was on my road bike today...cheater, cheater, ch...ch...ch...cheater!  Shannon also came out today despite racing at GP this evening, so his lunch ride loyalty was definitely shining through.  Mitchell, Jaffe, Vin and Seon rounded off the list as regulars and fast ones at that, so all together a good group and a bonafide TEAM ride.

Todd seemed pretty eager to get out with the group and led everyone out as we headed down California.  He even started us off on the bike trail but the rest of us started rotating shortly thereafter.  It was after Hiroshi pulled up to the front and began pushing the pace on his TT that things started getting a little crazy.  Since I was under time constraints and needed to get back, I was definitely up for keeping up with the group just so I can make it back in time.  We were definitely moving as we made our way to Harvard.

Shannon had indicated at the base of California that he was going to race at GP, so when I looked back after I had passed him during the rotation and saw he was off the back, it made sense that he was backing off to save the legs for racing.  I knew if he really wanted to catch up to us and work the group, he likely could have despite the number we had today.  What was funny though was on Laguna Canyon, someone indicated Shannon was off the back and Mitchell exclaimed "Yay, we dropped Shannon!"  All of us chuckled given we knew that was unlikely...either that or it was because we rarely see Mitchell that excitable unless talking about amateurs.

Vin, Jaffe and Mitchell seem to be rotating up to the front more and more, although you can still observe the occasional hold out.  Vin had a good charge up Shady as well, and Mitchell would come around for some solid pulls as well and continue to be difficult to shake off.  And everyone continues to notice Jaffe's new and improved speed on the flat terrain.

Seon was also doing great on the bike trail and despite feeling as though he couldn't keep up, he's not recognizing that the pace to Laguna Canyon was over 24 mph avg.  For him to be there with us for as long as he was as well as roll up on us behind a light.  It was the climb up Shady that separated him from the rest, but keep coming out, Seon!

Todd was doing a lot of the pulling as expected, but it was unusual to see him off the back on the climb up Shady.  Although I know he'll probably hate that I'm writing this, I know that it will motivate him even more to come out more regularly and start doing what he does on the hills.  He was still pulling selflessly after despite this, so you know at least that he's always giving 100%.

In the locker room, I joked around with Todd how we're only giving him 2 byes but he needs to be back to dropping people in the hills and stringing out the group when he's back to his normal climbing self and stringing out our rides.  I said it and thought, sometimes I really need to think about what I say.  The reality is that I love riding as a group and hope that all our lunch rides can have us stay together as much as possible.  I know I've contributed to the separation in some way the last couple rides, but I promise to change it up next week and focus on being more of a team player.

Thanks for coming out, gents!

Lunch Ride #20 - The ol' Dubbel BB route

Strava:  https://www.strava.com/activities/269855649

Attendees:  Shannon, Mitchell, Vin, Jaffe and Steve

After all the heat over the last few days, it was nice to finally have a break and feel some cooler temps today.  Although a little windy, especially up the NPC climb, feeling the wind behind you felt great!  It was a good day for a ride.

Before the ride, Shannon in his roundabout way, was already making predictions that we would get dropped on NPC and not be around in time for the horseshoe finish.   Okay, so maybe those weren't his exact words, but I think those who heard him took it that way.  It was obvious since it seemed he was going to be held out just to give us a chance to keep up.  Strategy.  Because I had my TT bike (other bikes still not operational), however, I opted to push up and help since that nagging voice inside of me just couldn't let Shannon be held up there the whole time.  Had I been on my road bike, I probably would have just said oh well.  HA

Although the pace wasn't brutal in the beginning, we did have a new "Steve" offer to join us for the first time given he saw us gathering just outside the gym.  He said to go ahead and leave him behind if we go too fast, and unfortunately that's exactly what we did.  I think he was with us up through Anteater, but I didn't see him once we started climbing up NPC.

When we got going up NPC, Vin started the charge up and broke away for a little bit.  Shannon gave chase and true to his word earlier, soon started reeling Vin in with me in tow and subsequently proceeded to gap me and those behind me.  I tried to keep a good pace, but I was glad that Vin and Mitchell rotated up front and helped fight the headwind while climbing.  Once we got near the top, I took the front again and started doing what I can to try to make ground on Shannon who wasn't even visible after turning onto San Joaquin.

I stayed on the aeros and started to push on the Horseshoe, with a little help from the tailwind, and Mitchell and Vin stayed with me as we made the loop.  I did see Shannon as he crested the hill before descending back to San Joaquin, but he disappeared again once we got over the same hill.  We would probably have never seen him had he not been caught at one of the lights at San Joaquin.  Lucky for us!  Jaffe caught up to us there too, so we had a pretty good sized group again at that point.

We proceeded toward Back Bay and remained together the whole time.  By Back Bay drive, we started rotating again with everyone doing their share of the work.  We had a pretty good paceline going for a bit, but for the final climb out, Shannon stood up and sprinted off.  I tried to hang, but just couldn't.   I was hoping to at least stay close so I can not get dropped on the climb up Jamboree, but that didn't happen.  He took off again there and probably would have been gone had it not been for the light that he caught at San Joaquin.  Mitchell was with meon Jamboree having reeled me in, so I suppose it wouldn't have been too lonely finishing out the route. if we never caught Shannon.

When we got going again from San Joaquin, I decided to try and kick it up a notch and really started to speed up even on Back Bay drive.  The others were with me at that point, but when we came up with some other riders on the road, I had to keep calling out to one guy who didn't listen/couldn't hear making it necessary for us to check up as we made our way by him.  Others may have been a little more cautious in passing, and this may have caused me to gap them.  When I looked back and didn't see anyone, I figured I'd just take off and give Shannon and the rest a target.  That seemed like today's mode anyway, so....

I was able to stay ahead and although I thought I had broken away, it took only seconds for the rest of them to roll up behind me as I pulled up to the California light.  Nice work!  I was dead at that point.

Going up California, Vin got going first but we reeled him in and I dropped down on the aeros to  finish up the rest of the hill. 

I think that was enough madness for me this week.   Even with my aero advantage of the TT, these guys never seem too fazed where I'm dreading to see what riding with them on my road bike will be like.   Mitchell, Jaffe and Vin keep surprising me, whereas with Shannon, his ridiculous power is as expected.  Let's do it again on Thursday, but I'll be holding up the back on that ride for sure.  Sorry in advance.

Lunch Ride #18 - El Morro and Back

Strava:  https://www.strava.com/activities/266185392

Attendees:  Vince and Jaffe

I had to leave a little earlier today to make sure I made it back in time for a 1 PM meeting.  I wasn't really sure anyone would be able to join me, but I was glad to see Jaffe and Vince make it out too.

I brought my "cheater" TT bike in case I ended up riding alone, but the truth is my other bikes needed some TLC that I just didn't have time for whereas I just clean and rode my TT bike on Saturday.

Since I had to get back, I was going to push the pace as much as I can, but I'm also glad Vince was there to keep me honest.  He would jump up to the front, sometimes with bad intentions, and would have me dial it up even more just so we could keep riding with him.  I really didn't like coming up on the hills because he took full advantage every time.  HA HA.  He definitely had some good breakaways, and even snapped me off completely at the end of Back Bay.  I almost caught him by California, but ran out of real estate.  He attributed me catching him to SAP, but what he probably doesn't realize is that it was really due to TT.  Big difference, Indy.

I've been telling Jaffe all along that he's definitely a lot quicker on the flats than what I recall.  He was definitely there throughout the entire ride, and even took opportunities to jump up front for some pulls.  That's a mighty tall order when riding with me on a cheater and Vince just being Vince.  Nonetheless, he was always right there.  Good job!

Thank you both for coming out.  The weather was nice, the stop lights kinda sucked, but the company more than made up for it.  

Lunch Ride #17 - That Moment When You Realize....

Strava:  https://app.strava.com/activities/263525094

Attendees:  Shannon, Vince, Vin, Mitchell, Jaffe and Seon

That moment when you realize...

• ...how cool it is to see everyone in the same black jersey riding together as a group
• ...how Vince constantly likes to take off and try to leave everyone behind
• ...when it may not be me being slower necessarily as it is that everyone is just better and faster
• ...that Back Bay should have signs indicating it's closed BEFORE we arrived there
• ...when it's not as important to be the fastest as it is just to be with the gang
• ...how exceptionally nice the weather is riding through Ocean
• ...that traffic lights can certainly string out a group but that safety is still priority one
• ...that climbing a hill and getting a flat is much better than when descending
• ...how Shannon is always there for me (and others) just when you need him.  Thanks for sticking around and the spare CO2, as well as the moral support
• ...that cleaning my bike should be more of a priority given Shannon's reference to my bike chain looking like it's covered in motor oil
• ...that there are moments when it isn't about just getting back the fastest and that the team recognizes this while waiting at the top of NPC...all of them
• ...that flying down NPC trying to catch Shannon, Vince and Mitchell is about as useless as trying to share a zebra steak with a lion (wha?!)
• ...my attempt to give Shannon a lead out on Bison will be capitalized by everyone but Shannon
• ...how I love our Tuesday and Thursday lunch rides

Thanks for coming out, gents!

Team Lunch Ride #16 - Racer X Returns

Strava:  https://app.strava.com/athletes/73922

This is the short edition since I'm pressed for time.

Attendees:  Shannon, Vin, Hiroshi, Mitchell and Jaffe

Highlights:

• The route had 1500+ ft of elevation in it.  I'm not worthy....
• Vince had a 1 PM meeting, so he just came by to get ready with us while he prepared to run instead.  If you can't ride with the fellas, you might as well change with them I say.
• Shannon killed a few of the sections out there, but this isn't news.  He was the first to the top of every climb and definitely did more than his share of the tows.  26+ mph on the condo too.   Zoom zoom!
• It was nice to finally ride with Hiroshi again.  I called him Racer X when I saw him, and that was because he reminded me of Speed Racer's brother who would show up out of nowhere and just race.  I resembled Trixie out there.  Hiroshi is definitely a legit climber now.  He rode this morning as well, so what he did to me on Ridgeline was straight up gangster.  
• Mitchell is also hard to shake, but he's also hard to push up to the front.  :)  I'm going to have to try that veggie diet he did for the first part of the year.  
• Jaffe is always down on himself after the ride.  I think he's riding a LOT better than before, albeit his climbing conditioning is down.  However, the net net is that I think he's an improved rider overall who'll only be better once he gets more seat time on the hills.
• What can I say about Vin that hasn't already been said?

Thanks for coming out, gents!