Lunch Ride - Pre-vacation Painfest

Strava:  https://www.strava.com/activities/331542035

Attendees:  Todd, Mitchell, Hiroshi, Vin and Jaffe

Highlights:

• I presented two route options today:  a long route and a short one.  Due to time constraints, we opted to due the shorter of the two.  Given how warm it was, it was the right call.
• We had a smaller group today, and although less manic as it has been recently, it was just as great of a workout as ever.  Our lunch rides never fail to do this.  
• Everyone came out in BRCM attire, but the kid missed the memo on color.  
• Todd started us off pretty quick and as second wheel, had to wave the others on by the stop light at E. Peltason since I was having trouble keeping up.  It didn't help that I'm nursing a strain on my left leg either. 
• I managed to stay with the group to the Culver intersection, but I was too tentative to push up and help out in the rotation after the light changed.  I waited until the top of the hill to finally do so, but it was great everyone else was rotating up to take a turn.
• We stayed pretty tight together as we made our way around Turtle Rock, and Todd led the climb and held us all at a good (i.e. painful) pace.  
• We made our way toward the Shady bike trail, and Hiroshi took a good pull after the second bridge.  We had to slow down some due to some pedestrian traffic...thank goodness!
• Todd pushed up again and I followed after to try to keep a good pace for the rest of the climb, but he and others decided to push the last part causing me and one other to drop a little before the top. 
• We gave chase to the 4 ahead of us, and really had to push once adjacent to the 405.  We were making progress, but Todd noticed we were off the back and slowed to help us get back up to the group.  What a guy!
• There was no sprint to the bridge, and we all made our way together to the bottom of Ridgeline.
• Hiroshi led us up on the climb and Mitchell pushed up with Jaffe in tow just before it pitched up.  I stayed behind Hiroshi knowing he was going to spin up the hill, and sure enough, his RPM doubled and he started passing Mitchell and Jaffe again.  I took over after it flattened out a little, and Todd finished the last part that pitched up towing us with a standing climb.
• We had a rolling regroup going down Turtle Rock, and on Campus had to due some car dodging due to some closed lanes just barely making the left turn together as a group.  
• We stayed together going up Culver and through Bonita Canyon holding a good pace throughout.
• We had to slow upon approaching the condo due to cars making a right turn ahead of us.  It was not the typical sprint climb, but as I held the front trying to keep a good pace for the group, Jaffe pushed ahead and pushed even harder.  Nice!  
• When we got on Bison, people took off after McArthur setting up for the sprint but had to slow for both lights.  I timed the 2nd light the best, and took off for an uncontested sprint to finish the ride.

Even though no one complained, I'm sorry I couldn't rotate to the front more and help out.  Despite this, the rest of the guys stepped up to help more and made for another great workout.  Thank you!  I hope they can manage without me for the next week and a half.  More importantly, I hope my badge still works when I get back!  HA.

Lunch Ride - Never Again Up San Joaquin!

Strava:  https://www.strava.com/activities/328249476

Attendees:  Shannon, Vince, Mitchell, Jaffe, Vin and Hiroshi (to San Joaquin only)

Highlights:

• Everyone wore the black jersey today, but Hiroshi donned his Rock Racing in preparation for racing this evening.  He only came out for a part of the ride, so he can save some for this evening.  Good luck, Hiroshi!
• Vin's been taking off ahead of the group at the start the last few rides including this one.  I'm still trying to figure out a motive.  He had a chance to breakaway since he caught the light to cross University, but he then opted to wait for the rest of us.  Inexplicable.
• Vince started us off on the bike trail and I gotta say, it was pretty tough.  I was in the #2 spot where I experienced an eye problem...I couldn't see myself relieving him right away. It took getting onto Back Bay before I finally pulled up to the front.  
• The rotations were good through Back Bay, so the group was able to keep the pace rather "spirited."  
• Hiroshi broke off once we got to San Joaquin, and three of us took off up the hill ahead of the others.  Mitchell was able to join us just before crossing.
• Most of us slowed after crossing to try and regroup, but Vince took off and from what we could see, caught most of the green lights ahead of us while we had to stop for all of them.  He actually waited for us at the top of NPC though.  Wha?
• Despite the lights, we were never able to regroup with Jaffe or Vin on San Joaquin.  We tried, but I believe they had some bad luck with the lights as well.  Hence, the title of this post....
• After four of us regrouped, there seemed to be a mad sprint after making the right to Pelican.  This continued on the descent, but some had different strategies of how to hit the hill at the bottom.  I opted to pull a little more back, and started sprinting just as soon as it pitched up again.  This allowed me to take the lead and in doing so, heard someone call me by a nickname common to my name:  "Dick!"  I don't really go by that nickname, but it is a variation of Richard so....
• After the hill, there was more jockeying and I actually fell a little behind going back onto NPC and PCH.  Fortunately, we were able to regroup again on Poppy. 
• Ocean and the neighborhood was pretty uneventful, but the pace was still rather lively throughout.  It was fortunate that we were all together again on Avocado to make the right on PCH.
• We charged to Jamboree on PCH working together in harmony (think flight of the bumblebee as appropriate background music)
• Back Bay was more of the same madness, and although contrary to how it may have appeared, I was pushing as hard and long as I could (great anxiety reliever).  At one point though, there was a gap between Shannon and me and Vince kept asking me if I was okay.  I thought to myself  1) does he really care how I am, 2) I think I can, I think I can, 3) if I'm not closing the gap fast enough, then close it as he's just right there.   I did eventually throw in the towel and waved Vince on to close it...so he did...and I dropped...with Mitchell still stuck to my rear wheel like glue.
• The four of us were on our own as we made our way to California, but we got to regroup at the light.
• On the way up, Vince gave me to go ahead on the climb, so I took the opportunity to work on my standing climb.  Yep...that pretty much did me in by the time we got back.

You know, I'd really like to add more color to the blog by writing more free form than with bullets, but time isn't really on my side.  I'm really glad that I'm still a part of these crazy rides and get to take advantage of the beyond excellent training it affords me.  I think I say it after every ride, but I really mean it when I say thank you, guys, for coming out.  It's a wonderful thing.

Lunch Ride - Riding like it's your Last

Strava:  https://www.strava.com/activities/326869808

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

Highlights:

• It's always a good bet that when the riders who came out today go out, it's going to be a great workout.  It's not a matter of one or two single riders; it's the combination.
• The pace was tough really early, so it was understandable that Vin took off ahead of the group to try and be a part of the group later on.  Unfortunately, this strategy didn't work today given the heated pace.
• It didn't take too long for the group reel Vin in by Peltason, but doing so wasn't satisfactory enough since the pace stayed hot all the way to Bonita Canyon.
• On the climb after Bonita Canyon, everyone got in the rotation to keep the pace up.  Jaffe once again pushed up ahead of others early on, but unfortunately cost him given the pace being held by the front group.  
• By the time we were on Sunnyhill, there were just 5 of us left and of that, only 4 actively taking the front.
• The pace through the Turtle Rock loop was ROUGH.   It just was.
• The climb on the other side was equally rough.  I did my best to stay with the lead person, but I started to drop off before the final climb.  Of course, this was when Vince took the opportunity to come around at a breakaway pace and join the lead person for a breakaway.  
• I thought I'd try to keep my position but was caught by the time I was climbing back on Shady heading towards Bonita Canyon.  
• By the bottom of the hill, the five of us together again and still with two others no where in sight.
• When we got going up NPC, we had a passenger for a bit but the 5 of us pushed ahead as a group and stayed together for a bit.  I dropped off before the 73 waving Todd ahead of me, but was able to regroup again with chase group #2 while the Vince had broken away.  It was windy, so taking cover in the draft going up the hill helped a LOT.
• When we got onto the horseshoe, we started closing on Vince, but Vince had a chain problem where he pulled over letting Todd and I pull ahead (after checking that Vince was okay).
• Todd and I tried to hold a slight breakaway, but got caught on the descent.  
• Despite some good pushes on San Joaquin going by Fashion Island, it didn't keep us from all being regrouped by Jamboree before Back Bay.
• When we got on Back Bay, I started us off and got relief from two other guys who stayed in the rotation for the length of Back Bay.
• Todd led toward the end, and despite my desire to challenge Vince to the top, I just couldn't.
• Vince got ahead crossing the street but I wasn't far behind as we made our way to Jamboree.  On the climb, I was able to gain on him some but not enough since he pushed every time he saw me closing.  
• When I looked back, I saw someone closing on me and never really knew who it was.  As he approached, I opted to cross the street as did Vince to make the left turn from the light.  This was when Shannon in hot pursuit kept going straight and ended up actually crossing Jamboree ahead of us.  Todd was right behind us, and joined us to make our way onto Bison.
• At the McArthur light, we started discussing sprints, cadence, and such and I was seeing if I could offer a lead out.  I don't think I got confirmation.
• When we crossed and made our way to the 73 overpass, it seemed like people were waiting for someone to make a move.  This was when Mitchell pushed ahead in his "seated sprint" position and started things off.  I took off after him thinking I can take advantage and sprinted ahead.  When I looked back, I thought I didn't see anyone behind me and let up before the end of the intersection.  Of course, this was when Vince pulled around me and took off for the corner.  Nice.

I know I said in the beginning of the year that without any races planned, there was no point in pushing.  Well, I've since changed my thoughts on this and realized that the training is still phenomenal with this group so why not take advantage while I can.  Who knows what the future holds, so I think I'm going to enjoy each and every one of these rides (along with the intensity they offer) until it's no longer an option for me.  I don't know when it ends, but everything ends, so why not, right?

Thanks for the fantastic workout once again, folks!  

Lunch Ride - Hilly Trainer with the Guys

Strava:  https://www.strava.com/activities/323578304

Attendees:  Todd, Vince, Vin and Mitchell

Highlights:

• With the climate at work being the way it is, it sure is nice to blow off steam on the rides.  
• I took off in the beginning (mostly because I wanted to get back on time), but also since I really was feeling the jitters after the morning.  
• We "almost" had a run-in with 5.0 on Peltason, but thankfully we didn't.
• We were all together by the stop light (mostly because the above bullet).
• The pace going out was tough with Todd helping to keep the pace up.  Vince took the front just before the stop light.
• We continued the rotations with two in tow as we made our way onto Culver.
• Vince opted to get a gap on Campus, and opted to try and keep it through out.  We were always just behind him but my right calf popped (cramped) on the climb up Pine Needles.  This derailed our chase efforts and let Vince get away for the rest of the ride.  That and the lights:  http://labs.strava.com/flyby/viewer/?utm_source=strava_activity_header#323439651,wGlJEw==.
  Nice work!
• Not sure where Vin was at this point as he was nowhere to be seen.
• Thankfully, Mitchell and Todd opted to slow and wait for me as I made my way back from the top of Luminous.
• I did what I could to help keep the pace up, but it was a series of push - pop - push - pop.
• Todd and I pushed one another to the top of Shady on the way back with him taking the front just before the top.  
• I was off the back again on the descent, but Todd and Mitchell waited again after Sunnyhill and the push-pop on my part continued.  
• We picked up a rider on the way up and over, and he stayed in the draft the whole time while the 3 of us worked together harmoniously all the way to the stop light.  Upon our arrival, he just stood with us not saying one word.  Awkward.
• After turning onto Bonita Canyon, the 3 of us worked together all the way back leaving me feeling like I can wait again until tomorrow before the next set of jitters hits again.    We skipped the condo due to my time constraints in case anyone asks.

Overall a super solid training ride.  Sorry I spoiled our chase efforts.  It was a great workout nonetheless.  Thanks for coming out and accommodating my schedule, and sorry to those who could not.

Lunch Ride - Suffering Builds Character

Strava:  https://www.strava.com/activities/322048998

Attendees:  Todd, Shannon, Vince, Mitchell, Vin, Jaffe and me

Highlights:

• Although it was cloudy, the weather was downright muggy and reminiscent of being in a sauna.
• Despite the weather, we had a good sized group come out today.  
• Those we represented in white:  Vince, Shannon, Mitchell and me. 
• Look who jumped on the clincher bandwagon:

Amateur!

• California is hardly a warm-up, so the pace picking up on the bike trail right away is always a doozy.   I don't know how the others felt, but I was a little anxious about pulling to the front (although I still did) given how many came out today. 
• The rotations started right away and everyone was pushing up all the way through the Back Bay.  It was rough given the wind, so it was nice being able to roll behind someone for cover.  
• At the tail end of Back Bay, Vince took off for the final sprint.  I tried to contest, almost passed, but fell behind just before the gate.  
• We regrouped before Jamboree and made our way onto PCH getting the green light upon our arrival.  
• It was tough to latch on at first after making the turn (I was a little off the back), but I was just able to latch on.  
• We headed out as a group going toward CDM, but Todd and I got separated due to a truck and a light.  We were going to stop to regroup in CDM, but decided to wait until after Poppy to do so.  
• As we were stopped waiting, you see the group behind us coming and at a pretty good clip.  It was rough trying to latch as they passed (so much for being considerate for those of us who were considerate waiting for them - HA).  
• At one of the lights, there was a breakaway and it didn't seem like anyone was eager to close it.  I was winded, but I pushed up to help close the gap with Todd's help and we were able to regroup at the NPC light.  
• The turnaround at El Morro is also sketchy, but we were all together shortly after.  
• The pace on the way back was equally intense, which substantiates how less hilly rides keeps the intensity up throughout vs. mostly on the climbs on the more hilly rides.
• We took Ocean as a way to get through CDM but had to take a detour due to a closed road.  
• Once back on PCH, the madness ensued.
• We didn't start pushing too much as soon as we were on Back Bay Drive, but the pace picked up SUBSTANTIALLY just after the gate.  I was in the #2 spot, and I dreaded the thought of pushing up to #1.  I wasn't sure if I could to be honest.
• It stayed crazy after San Joaquin, and at some points, thoughts of giving up popped into my head.  I hate when that happens.  I don't think I was the only one though.
• I ended up staying on, and at one point, Vince launched an attack but I was not far behind.  I was able to close it and once again looked at him as he looked back with the "no way I'm pushing up right away" look.  
• After thinking about it though, I decided I'd give him a taste of his own medicine and took off..  I wasn't sure if anyone latched on when I did, but when I saw I had a gap I pushed on hoping to get to the top first.  I was being chased, however, and I blew up midway up the hill and got passed by Vince and Shannon with Vince yelling "Boom!" as they did.  Boom was an accurate description for sure.
• I was worked from the breakaway attempt, so I was seriously in recovery mode at the top and on the way to Jamboree.  
• Vince was up ahead on the climb, and I was hoping to chase him down.  That didn't happen.  I had started up with Todd, he fell behind, caught up, passed me, and I rode his wheel most of the rest of the way up.  
• We were regrouped on McArthur, but 5.0 was on the left turn lane on McArthur where I thought we were going to take it easy.  Some took off anyway.  
• We got stopped at both lights over the 73, and Vin was the only one who wanted to push the rest of the way.  In trying to catch him, I pretty much blew the rest of my wad and getting another great workout with the team.

Thanks for coming out and beating me up, guys.   As with all the challenges we're faced with in life, we can avoid them to be safe or embrace them and be stronger.  I choose the latter.  

Lunch Ride - The 133 Loop with the Gang

Strava:  https://www.strava.com/activities/318421274

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

Highlights:

• Another good sized crew for today's ride.  Always merrier when there's more.
• Although it looked like it was going to rain, it didn't.  Thank goodness as the last time on this route was ridiculous.
• Todd led us out again today and thankfully was not as crazed as the pace on Tuesday.  Others rotated in and t looked like it was going to get crazy before Bonita, but we all arrived together. 
• Todd led us up toward Shady initially, but I rotated in followed by Jaffe.   Once again, Jaffe seems to be making a habit of stepping up sooner than some of the others...kudos!
• Shannon, on the steel Eddie Mercx, was supposed to hold back in preparation for the Ride Around the Bear this weekend and dropped on the way up to Shady, but he was with us again on Quail Hill and for the rest of the ride.  
• We held a good pace with everyone working together up to and over the 133, and admittedly, it hurt here and there.  My confidence level was fairly low, especially after feeling a little twinge on my right thigh going over the hill, that I was not too eager to make my way to the front.  I did what I could as did everyone else.  
• We kept the pace up on PCH and had to take the left lane at some points just to be safe.  
• Hiroshi was charging up some of the hills making sure he kept the rest of us honest.  
• I was a little worked as we were nearing NPC, so I was a little off the back just before making the turn.  It's hard keeping up with these guys!
• As we ascended, Shannon got separated from us after the first light, so the rest of us had to make our way up separately.  
• It took some effort to get up to Hiroshi, who was in the #2 spot, and with Todd still not 100%, I had to rely on Hiroshi to drag my big ol' booty up the hill.  While this sounds like it was a "partnership," there were moments where you see him spin up and seemingly try to drop me.  Those hurt every single time he did.  Near the top though, I pulled up ahead and he got on my wheel.  As we neared the light, I decided to serve him some of his own samurai warrior soup and broke ahead.   He wasn't far behind though, so I'm sure he's probably racing tonight and just saving it for that.  (Editor's note:  I still remember when Hiroshi couldn't keep up over a speed bump before, so mass kudos to him for helping to dish out pain on the rides)
• We regrouped at the top and met up with Shannon before San Joaquin, and had a good charge down NPC.  One of the pitfalls of a compact crank is that it's really hard to keep up with these guys on the downhill.   Too fast!
• We just made the left turn onto Bonita Canyon after the downhill rush, and it was just more pedal pounding after.  
• There was a breakaway at one of the lights before McArthur, so we were definitely in chase mode as we made our way down and around to Bison.  
• As we neared the break and approached the 73 overpass, Mitchell sped up where it's really difficult to know whether he's being helpful to serve as a lead out or if he just likes sprinting sitting down.  In any case, he doesn't call out when he does this, so you just see him go by and think "oh great...here we go." 
• I wasn't too sure if there was going to be a sprint at the end, but I gave it a shot after Shannon started up.  Not a good plan, but it was enough to definitely finish me for the ride and have me lying down trying to recover in the gym for several minutes.  I honestly thought I was going to die!

If we think about the Kenyans who win marathons based on training under the most heinous conditions and probably run as a way of life, I consider riding with my BRCM buddies along the same lines.  The conditions are definitely brutal and everyone is obviously absorbed in the cycling lifestyle that in the end, I can only benefit from these training rides.  Thank you, guys, for pushing me beyond my limits every time!

Lunch Ride - It Was a Crazy Start...and it Stayed That Way

Strava:  https://www.strava.com/activities/316973147

Attendees:  Shannon, Todd, Vince, Mitchell and Vin

Highlights:

• Nice to have Todd back after he's been out from being sick.  Although not fully recovered, he led us out from the start at a maddening pace and pretty much set the tone for the rest of the ride.
• Vince and Shannon decided to get away from the madness and broke us off just making the light up NPC.  Our chase group got caught at the light, which took forever to let us go.  We decided at that point we would be better working together than trying to catch the guys ahead of us in a smaller group.
• Todd and I traded pulls up NPC, and at one point, got passed by another cyclist that came out of nowhere.  We didn't give chase since that would have probably strung us out negating what we concluded at the bottom of the hill.  
• Three quarters of the way up, we hear a tire blow air out and Todd, Mitchell and I stopped to see whose tire blew.  I checked mine as did the two others, but no one felt that it was their tire that blew...so we went on despite knowing that someone must have blown a tire.
• When we rounded the turn to the reverse horseshoe, I heard a bike lose traction behind me and ended up turning around to find Mitchell off his bike.  I think for the most part, he caught the bike and didn't fall but I couldn't say for sure.  He ended up telling Todd and I to just go ahead since he had everything he needed.  Who were we to question a "pro?"  Gladly, we did see him back at the gym at the end of the ride.
• Todd and I ran into Vin at the end of the horseshoe, and we started working together down NPC, Pelican, on PCH and through CDM.  
• After a charge on PCH after getting back on from Avocado, we ran into the breakaway group who waited for us at the entrance on Back Bay.
• We started out a fairly moderate pace (Vin was leading at the time...haha), but that picked up just after getting past the first gate.  
• After some rotation, Vince started his antics again and began launching attack after attack.  What's funny is that I think I ended up having to close the gaps each time he did, and he would have the audacity to give me the elbow to pass as though it didn't take any work to get up to him.  My reply was "hell no" each time.  HA
• Vin launched an attack, which Vince responded to, but I was a little spent and decided to take up the back to recover.  Shannon and Vince took off up the hill to duke it out and continued to keep the break again as they made their way to Jamboree.
• I stayed with Todd as we made our way up Jamboree, but with my newly tuned bike, which came with a complimentary bomber of some fine home brew (thanks SM!), I was able to close the gap somewhat to the breakaway...just not enough.
• Vince opted to make the left turn, while the rest of us "safely" made our way to the intersection and cross from there.  
• We all ended up crossing McArthur mostly together, and it looked like it was going to be a free-for-all finish, but instead I got to provide a lead out for the finish getting mad passed shortly after crossing 73 offramp.  

Overall, another great workout and definitely high output.   Having seen Galen come back from his solo ride after getting dressed and Adrian saying he'll be coming out again with us this week, I can only imagine that a full crew would be outright ridiculous.  I can't wait!  

Thanks for coming out, gents!