Tour de Palm Springs 2011

We only had 3 of us do this event, so it was going to be interesting to see how we did compared to last year when we had 5.  Shannon and I have different bikes since last year, and Eddie brought his TT bike so we had a fighting chance. 

The weather was just as predicted; cold in the morning (47) and warm by the end (80+) of the ride.  There was wind heading toward the windmills and some sections through the residential, but overall, it was pretty good.  We did wear a  base layer to start off, but no arm or leg warmers.  We represented BRCM white in preparation for the heat. 

Here's Eddie and I freezing our asses off before the ride:

We got out as scheduled, and got to park pretty much where we parked last year.  Perfect place for the out-of-the-way drinkfest that ensued after the ride (more on this later).  It didn't take us too long to get ready from there and be on our way.  Shannon even had time to decimate one of the porta-potties beforehand.

It was the same as last year...staggered start and freezing until we got to take off.  Everyone kept bunching up, and Eddie and I got a little separated from Shannon.  When we took off, Eddie and I rolled off but I was worried Shannon didn't get to go when we did.  I ended up pulling over to wait, and Eddie kept going.  When Shannon rolled up, we started to ride together but very slowly.  I actually stopped my Garmin since it was so crowded we were barely moving.  For that brief moment it was on, the average speed was 5 mph.  I started it when we were able to actually pedal and even then, the first mile average was still 8.9.  Bummer.  Getting around one old guy who had fallen helped contribute to this. 

After we got through a light to turn left, I was still feeling a little cold but we saw Eddie up ahead of us finally.  At that point, Shannon decided to get up front and passed me.  He told me just beforehand that he needed to take a leak, so I thought trying to keep up with Shannon on a mission would not be a good idea.  I saw that he caught up to Eddie where Eddie latched on and they were off.  I kept a moderate pace and was still passing everyone as we started the ascend.  Midway up, another guy passed me and I latched on to him.  One other guy latched on, and the 3 of us worked together to the first SAG.

The first SAG was actually worse than last year.  Again, they had people across the whole street just standing there and the only way to get through was to walk the bike.  I did well holding back the profanities, but what a serious clusterf#@*!  I did see Eddie there though, so we hooked up and took off together from there.  Shannon had just finished watering one of the road signs across the street when we saw him, so we called out to let him know and we were off down the hill.  Eddie, Shannon and I were just picking people off down the hill, but we did get some people to jump on and that's when a group started forming.  However, it wasn't exactly a group where others felt a need to take a turn up front. 

Shannon did a lot of the pulling through the rollers, and I'd try to help once the descents came since others weren't too eager.   Shannon said he was actually hurting a little after all his pulling, but you would never have known it.  I was always glad when he came around to take over.

We did pick up this one group who looked like they may be willing to help out, but it turned out they were only doing the 50, so they turned off.  We also saw this hot chick on a BMC that seemed like she was doing really well but unfortunately, she dropped off at some point.  There was one guy on a Trek that started to help out, but Shannon and I were pretty much dictating the pace on the downhill.  One guy on a TT bike tried to breakaway a couple times, but we'd reel him in and pass each time.

Toward the bottom and near the 50 SAG, the road got really rough.  It was pretty rough actually through a lot of sections, which was substantiated by all the people on the side of the road fixing their flats.  It was nice to be able to stop from all the vibrating from the road when we finally arrived at the SAG.  Shannon and I didn't realize Eddie had dropped off, but he arrived shortly after.  We refilled our bottles, got a little nourishment, and took a bio break and were off shortly after.  Breakaway Eddie got out first and made it through a light, but we ended up catching him.  There was a gal on a TT bike wearing some pretty small shorts who had some serious legs that ended up riding with us for a while, but she also met the same fate as BMC chick.

We did pick up others and a group started to form, but when the rotations up front weren't moving too quickly, I decided to tear away from the group where Shannon and Eddie followed along with a guy on an S2.  After a while, there was just the 4 of us working together to keep the pace up.  S2 guy was pretty strong, and Eddie and Shannon were also keeping the pace high.  Eddie kept upping the pace when he'd pass, and I think I'd slow it down.  Shannon would bring the pace up also (and keep it up), but he was more gradual.  Maybe that's why the S2 guy kept telling Eddie he's splitting up the line.   Too bad S2 guy decided to stop at the next SAG.

As Shannon started leading us toward the one climb in the residential area, a few guys who we passed as they were off to the side of the road eating passed us with fresher legs, but Shannon and I managed to latch on.  One guy was wearing a Bike Religion jersey, and I did hear them mention that the hill we were on reminded him of Ridgeline, so I thought that was pretty cool.

These guys pretty much kept the pace up throughout and we took advantage of the opportunity to finally let others do some of the work.  Eddie eventually caught us at a light, and we were all together from then on.  At one point while in Indio, we had a police escort helping us get through the intersections, so that also helped keep the pace up.  The guys up front  did SAG at mile 90, so at that point, we were on our own again.

Fortunately, we caught up to others who were willing to work and we pretty much rode with them through the rest of the ride.  There were even some ladies on TT bikes that were pretty solid who wouldn't keep up during the acceleration, but they would catch up on every light. There was no point in trying to breakaway since the different routes have merged and it was just too dangerous.  Some guys would sprint off from the stops, but we just kept reeling them in.  On the last stretch before the end, it was just too crowded.  I did try to get by this one old guy near the end, and he asked me "What's the rush?"  Sure enough, as we entered the parking lot for the finish, Eddie jumped in front of me to claim he beat me.  That's what the rush was.

The post ride beer fest courtesy of Shannon was perfect.  We did have to hide from the sun so we wouldn't get totally dehydrated, so we sat up against a wall and threw a few back.  Then, the mexfest at the Margaritas restaurant was perfect...definitely worth revisiting next year for the pre-ride meal.

Overall, it was a great ride and the averages for me were up from last year by at almost a whole mph.  Maybe we'll have more come out for next year where we can top this again.  Madness. 

Here are my stats:  http://connect.garmin.com/activity/67958770

BB PCH NPC Pelican Training Ride

GPS stats:  http://connect.garmin.com/activity/67470647

I was expecting to ride with Wednesday group, but instead found that Eddie, Todd, Jaffe, and Hiroshi came out.  Todd wanted to do BB NPC loop, so no Shady bike trail loop for today. Since they saw young guy (Vin), Hiroshi was suppose to encourage him to go.  Instead, he asks him to come out because I supposedly wanted him to go.  Too funny.  I didn't figure Hiroshi to be an instigator.

It was a windy day today, and Todd led the group out onto the bike trail and back bay.  Eddie jumped up front and kept the pace up and rotated back and forth with Todd.   26, 28, and 25 mph average through sections was strong.  I took some turns toward the latter part to keep the pace up as well, but understandably, Vin was just doing what he could to hang on; especially since he wasn't familiar with the pace/route.  By the time we got up Jamboree to PCH, there were just 4 of us because of the pace.

On PCH, Todd kept the pace up and by the time we got to Avocado, it was just 3 (including Vin).  Todd led throughout the residential area, and back on PCH, I took a couple turns rotating with him until we got to NPC where we met up with the others.

Going up NPC, it was cool to see Vin try and stay on Todd's wheel.  Gotta give the kid credit for having heart.  However, trying to do the same going up Pelican would prove to be too difficult.  He, Eddie and Hiroshi were ahead of me, but falling off Todd's wheel after the first set of climbs.  On the final climb up Pelican, I was able to reel them in midway up.  Hiroshi wasn't too far behind though.

We met up again on NPC, and except for Jaffe (who decided he wanted some Vista action), we got to bomb down the other side.  Eddie's a DH specialist, so he took a long pull going down.  There were some cars that thought they'd ride our draft us well, but in the end let us do our thing.

Going up Bonita Cyn, Todd led us out.  I couldn't clip in again right away, so it took a little to do so and catch back up.  After we went under the bridge, young guy looked like he wanted to pass THE Todd Jacobs to get to the top.  Of course, Todd didn't let that happen.  I jumped up there with Todd as well to make it interesting.

We went onto Ford and I wanted to set up Jamboree with a fast right turn to see if it could give me some momentum going up.  However, I got on the inside of young guy and Hiroshi, and had to start the climb from a near stop.  Todd was leading the two up when I tried to turn it on.  I thought I had a good pace, but Todd got right behind me and then took it to me  near the top.  Damn him.  HA HA

On Bison, the wind was pretty killer but I tried nonetheless to pass to get a jump for a sprint to the gate.  However, another casual cyclist got in the way where I didn't give Todd enough room to pass (again, sorry) and we backed it down some.  Young guy wanted to sneak by after the stop sign though with a sprint.  Cool that he tried but....

Another good training session today.  That's it for me this week until this weekend.  Thanks for the workout, gents!

Portola and Back with Jamboree Finish

GPS stats:  http://connect.garmin.com/activity/67330208

Nice turn out with 11 people out there today.  Good to see Seon join us today from Wed/Fri group.  S-Gary almost didn't make it, but the group waited for him (and waited...and waited).

From the onset, I knew it was going to be a fast one.  While the wind felt like it would be troublesome, the pace was fast pretty much throughout with only slowing on Harvard (due to lights) and of course, up Jamboree.  It probably didn't help that I was trying to break away on CA hoping to catch a light, but everyone jumped on and the tone was set. 

Todd and Adrian were pushing the pace once on the bike trail, and while the group stayed together for a good portion, the pace took it's toll and the group started to get strung out some.  However, no one dropped off too far back, and we were all together again to cross Barranca on Harvard. 

Gary was also taking some turns up front rotating with Adrian and Todd.  When the guy up front would roll out, they were always coming back into the line early so they can once again get into the rotation.  I stayed behind Mike Z., who provided the perfect draft throughout. 

Nearing Portola, the first sneak attack of the day came from Noah where he relentlessly charged to the top keeping the average for that last section still above 22.  Good job!

At the top, everyone sat and waited to re-group, but S-Gary didn't want to stop and get everyone going again.  It was a crazy pace going down the bike trail, and it was always scary to drop from the front since every opportunity to try and create a gap seemed to be taken.  However, it never really worked as someone would always reel in the breakaways.  This made for a maddening pace into the wind back, but a lot of people hung on and stayed together throughout.  

After Mitchell's pull on the bike trail, Adrian and Todd were up front and everyone was waiting for another attack to CA.  Out of nowhere, sneak attack #2 came from Eddie on his TT bike, and he just left the group while tucked in a full aero position.  I gave chase once I realized he was going for a breakaway (I thought he may take another turn up front initially), and it was just too late.  Good job!

On Jamboree, Todd and Noah were duking it out to the top and despite Noah's sandbagging with how he's sick, I heard he reached the top first.   I guess tactics begin even before the ride.   I found a decent pace going up it, and mistakenly believed it was good enough to pass Adrian.   The bastard let me reel him in only to crank past me shortly after.  Eddie did the same thing, but we kept swapping back and forth.  He rolled past me across Bison though, so....

On Bison, Adrian and Todd were going for it but got caught at the light on McArthur.  Once the light turned green, Gary got the breakaway, but Adrian and Todd reeled him in.  Over the 73, I wanted to finish strong so I broke away here.  I did have to keep looking over my shoulder, but ultimately, no one contested to the gate.

Although this was a good training ride, the true highlight was that runner we passed just before going under Jamboree on the bike trail.  My goodness gracious. 

Thanks for the workout, gents!

4 Sisters, 1 Cove, 2 BRCM Brothers, and 3 Pitchers of Longboard

GPS stats for today:  http://connect.garmin.com/activity/66792903

Pretty early start today where I left at 6:15 a.m. to meet up Shannon and the Ranch Sports Grill for a 6:45 a.m. departure.  Car was registering 39 degrees at my house, so I was a little worried about how hard it would be to warm up in these conditions.  Fortunately, it had warmed up an additional 6 degrees by the time I got to Ladera/RSM where Shannon was there already seemingly trying to stay warm in his truck.  Full finger gloves, pants/leg warmers and arm warmers were still necessary, but at the last minute I ended up ditching my wind breaker vest since Shannon wasn't wearing one either.  Plus, it would cover up the jersey. 

We rode towards Todd's meetup point on Olympiad and Jeronimo and headed towards Marguerite and then the canyons.  Todd and Shannon were quite merciful and not tearing it up, probably to save some for the hills for the most part, but I was appreciative nonetheless...especially since I was able to stay behind them without getting dropped on El Toro. 

Going up the hill after Cooks, the pace was still relatively moderate but I knew that would change once I saw someone roll up on us from Team Velosport.  He asked where we were going, and after finding out we were doing something similar, I suggested for him to ride with us.   Of course, this got the natives a little restless, so the plan to take it easy through the canyons went out the door.  We were averaging just under 30 for the next 7 miles with just a small dip to 24 at one point (I must've been pulling at that point...haha).  Velodude stayed with us the whole time, and also took some turns up front as well.  Going up dump hill was where Todd opened up a pretty good gap, but Velodude wasn't doing too bad and was looking like he was going to close.  Shannon and I were right behind him.  When Todd saw us coming, he kicked it up a notch, and Shannon and I followed dropping Velodude before the crest. 

Once we got over, we didn't stop and continued to drop the hammer toward Jamboree.  With Shannon up front, we were moving.  After going over the 261, he hit a bump though and out flew his water bottle to the left.  I saw it pop out as did Todd, but I think it was still rolling forward when Todd got by it.  Once I approached, it hooked and rolled right in front of me where I just barely missed it.  Scary.  We stopped to let Shannon retrieve it,and Velodude caught up by then and we were off again...with my HR probably off the charts from being scared shitless.

While I did take some turns on Santiago, I pretty much decided just to hang in the back heading towards PCH.  With Velodude riding with us, Shannon and Todd were still in competition mode, so staying in the back was all I could do.  Plus, the thoughts of the 2 unfamiliar sisters lingered where I wanted to save as much as I could to be able to keep riding with the guys. 

The pace was still pretty decent going down the bike trail from Portola and on Harvard.  Velodude hung on and 1 other kitted guy jumped on, but at the light at Barranca, he ended up going straight while we turned onto the bike trail.  We called out to let him know, and it looked like he was going to turn around and follow, but probably thought it wiser just to do his own thing.

We were going at a fairly decent clip through the bike trail, but once we got on Back Bay, Shannon kicked it up a notch again similar to our lunch rides and towed us the whole way.  I'm glad we stopped after the exit in the trailer park to use the restroom as I couldn't imagine keeping that pace heading toward the sisters. 

Once we were off, Todd and Shannon were keeping a good pace on PCH when a guy on a Pinarello Prince decided to join us.  Great...here we go again.  He sat in our draft for awhile, but at one of the hills, he jumped to the front and everyone got right on him.  I couldn't tell if he was trying to get ahead or just up front, but either way, the reaction is always the same.  I stayed with everyone (in the draft of course) but after the first descend once in Laguna Beach, I grabbed a drink and fell just a little off the back.  Thankfully, Princeguy turned off on one of the streets, and we were able to resume a somewhat normal pace. 

And then we got to Park.  What possesses someone to make streets this long and steep?   I was able to see Shannon and Todd for a while as we went up this hill, but after a bit, I knew I was on my own and I just had to keep pedaling.  It was already a humbling experience to do this hill with the pace that these guys did it with Shannon blazing up to the top first, but at one point, Todd turned around and rolled back down the hill just to make sure I knew which way to turn.   Of course, he turned around and climbed back up again.  What a team player and a stud.  I think they need to re-name this street to Will Hill because that's pretty much all that got me up there.  Ridge Park's for pussies.  HAHA.  I guess on the way down, we missed one of our teammates (PV) who did his own ride on the sisters. 

Going up Nyes, Todd got a headstart so Shannon rode with me for a bit offering some coaching as we climbed.  I then told him he better pass me if he doesn't want me to fall in front of him, so he did.  This was also another ridiculous hill, and the one section where you turned right was crazy.  I can kind of see how Verm could fall off his bike going up this thing.   Actually, I can't, but I thought I'd make him feel better.  When I got to the park near the top, I saw Shannon's bike at the restroom and thought this was where it ended.  However, Todd came back up and pointed out that it was the stop sign at the top of the hill I had to do to complete the hill and pretty much twisted my arm to finish it...so I did with a little sprint.

We headed towards Dana Point after coming down and got some water at the gas station.  While there, we noticed Todd's rear tire was a little low, so we ended up going to Revo so he can fix it without having to use up one of his CO2s.   Once he fixed it (brown guy was excused from this one), we were off and up towards Cove we went.  Going up, I wanted to see what kind of tempo I could hold standing up, so I thought I found one that was pretty decent.  Shannon called it an attack, but I called it "temporary" as I exclaimed to Todd when I passed him.  Sure enough, it was and Todd lit up the rest of the hill. 

After, we got back on PCH and rather than riding all the way to Crown Valley, we took a bike trail at the bottom of the hill where I was thinking we were going to skip the last two sisters and just make our way back toward Mission Viejo.  Wrong answer.  We come out of the bike trail right at the base of Pacific Island.   Great.

After the 3 earlier hills, this was just another hill, and although I began to fall off from the 2 near the top, I didn't think it was too bad.  My hamstring was hinting that it would cramp, but that was alleviated with a Shot Blok.  Shannon waited for me at the top, and going down, it was a little sketchy with a Mercedes not going down too fast in the beginning and then wanting to pass just before we got to Highland. 

Todd was waiting for us on Highland, and I took advantage of the momentum and thought I'd see how long I can hold the big gear on the way up.  I actually thought I was doing pretty decent where I'd make it to the top first, but then I hear this whoosh, whoosh, whoosh coming up on me and it was Todd pushing even a bigger gear to pass me before the top. 

After that last hill, you'd think these guys would slow down, but they're like robots.  I again thought my hamstring was hinting of cramping at one point, but another Shot Blok along with some more fluids took care of that for the rest of the ride.  I still sat in the draft since I know my place with these guys, and I did start to trail on some of the remaining hill sections, so it was good enough not to get dropped too bad. 

Once we separated from Todd, Shannon and I decided to take it easy, but Todd's shortcut still put us through 2 good hill sections.  He says he saved us about 100 feet of climbing, but it sure didn't feel like it.  I finally took a turn up front going down a hill (haha) to help Shannon, and he said he was counting on me for Antonio.  Of course, I couldn't let the big guy down, so I did what I could on there, and thankfully, he alleviated and took over when I had no more just before Crown.

Overall, it was a good training day with the BRCM boys.  I read Verm did his own thing, and Eddie did too where he saw us on Santiago.  I hope we can corral everyone for the next ride AFTER the Palm Springs and keep the training going for the big rides.  Again, the best part is hanging out after with a few cold ones.  If you're ever in the area, give the Longboard draft a shot...it tasted like perfection after a ride like this.  Thanks, Todd and Shannon.

Vince Puke Ride

(From Paul)

fairly big group started, but the pack split up on ridge park.  I chased todd and vince to the gate....was somewhat close but then they gapped me hard down Vista and I didn't see them again. 

Pretty much a solo ride after that...I saw some riders when I got towards the top of Pelican but didn't pass anybody until heading up Vista. 

Jaffe perked up when I passed him and started pursuing me like a crazed wombat.  He followed me to the gate for #2, and then we pretty much stuck together on the return.  He definitely gets the crazed wombat award of the day.

Absolutely perfect day to get out, sunny, cool temps, a little wind but great ocean views and some lung busting climbs are a great way to break up the day!!  :)

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/66486898

(From Vince)

Good one today.  I broke my old PR on this ride and made it into the 19s.  I think it is more attribitted to the fact that Todd and I worked together for the majority of the ride.  The last time I did this route I was solo.  PV looked good and was not too far behind us.  He did the extra credit both times. 2.6k of climbing over 21.22 miles, not too shabby.  Just think, do this ride 4 times in a row and we might be ready for L’Etape.  

(Me)

It was a little funny how the group decided to go ahead after I wanted to roll out and get a head start due to meeting leaving Verm in the parking lot.  Todd needed to go to, so he lead everyone out (his fault).  We saw Gary’s bike, but no Gary, so we left given he gave us a waiver yesterday to do so.

I tried to get a head start up NPC, but it didn’t take long for Vince, Todd and PV to catch up.  Mitchell got behind me after, but then pulled (saved) me to keep me up with the 3 guys ahead.  Verm must have been PISSED that we left, as by the time we got to the top of NPC, he was right there too. 

The front 3 guys were still visible going up until they went to do their extra credit.  I followed Mitchell onto Vista with Verm having blown his wad up NPC not too far behind.  We saw Mike Z on the way down and he turned around to join us (and boo me for trying to get another headstart at the bottom on NPC).  I knew time was short, and my legs were junk, so I was trying to get as much of the route as possible in.  They ended up catching me on NPC and Mike led us down but gapped us thanks to gravity.

On Pelican, we climbed the first sections together, but Verm lit it up on the final incline leaving me and Mitch thinking he’s probably still mad about getting left behind. 

On NPC, Vince and Todd passed us at the top and was joined by Verm.  Mitchell was saying he was going to go back with me, but ended up going up Vista (way to go!).  I cut it short and still had to get in line for the shower. 

Thanks for the workout!

 

 

THE Todd Jacob's Hill Trainer

I wasn't sure whether I was riding by myself today or with the Wednesday crew, but ran into Todd along with Jaffe and Mike Z.  Since Todd had planned to do some hills today, we opted to go with him instead.  What a team!  

The rout was pretty similar to Vince's puke route, but we went to Back Bay up San Joaquin vs. Anteater/NPC.  Nevertheless, the vert is pretty comparable.

What made today's ride interesting was how windy it was to boot.  14 mph was what weather.com showed, and that seemed about right.  It was cool when it was behind you, but rough (even downright scary) otherwise...especially on the descents. 

Since it was Todd's route, and the dude loves hills, he graciously offered to tow us (as much as we can keep up) for the whole of the ride.  On the hills, we figured it wouldn't matter, but I definitely took him up on it on the bike trail and Back Bay.  Mike Z. did take some pulls on Back Bay as well despite knowing he was going to have trouble keeping up on the hills.  Stud.

On San Joaquin, Todd led us up the hill and created a nice little gap toward the last hill section.  He must have waited for me, as I end up getting behind him before getting on NPC.  We both got to Ridge Park at the same time and after the light turned green, Jaffe came around for a pass to start the hill with Todd.   He tells me at the gym it feels good to be up front even for a little bit.  Nice.

Todd broke away and decided to do some extra credit since he was a good distance ahead.  I got past Jaffe and decided extra credit was not for me.  After turning right on Vista, mid way down was where I saw Mike Z. as he had gone up that way so he can turn around and ride with us.  Although a little nervous about the wind, I thought I was still going at a pretty good speed.  I turned around at one point to see if a car was coming, and Jaffe was not too far behind on the charge.  Mike Z. followed after and us three re-grouped at the bottom.

Jaffe took the lead down NPC (again, cool to see no-quit attitude), and midway down, I got in front and rounded first to go up Pelican.  I think I broke away a little after a while, and I caught the light back at the top to turn right at NPC, so I just kept going.  It turns out I was in Jaffe's view the whole time including going up Vista.  Todd caught Jaffe midway up Vista, but I had crested before he can get to the top.  I looked back but didn't see them, so I went ahead on Ridge.   The wind was a little scary, plus I was worried a car was going to turn left in front of me, so I definitely didn't bomb down this hill, nor NPC after.  I had some pretty good wobble on NPC with the winds seemingly hitting both sides of the bike/wheels.

Bonita Canyon was sick as it was tail wind most of the way on it...total silence when you're pedaling, so that was a good stretch.

For a windy day on a hilly route, I'd say it was a pretty good trainer.   The thought of Todd catching up early on also kept me going.  I guess we do it again tomorrow.  Thanks for the ride, gents.

Garmin stats:  http://connect.garmin.com/activity/66365829

2-1-11 Training Ride

GPS stats:  http://connect.garmin.com/activity/66231503

Weather was near perfect for a ride today with a good size group.  Props to David and Eric for making it out and joining us from Wed/Fri crew.

We started out looking for Eric since we saw him getting ready, and didn't realize he had started ahead of us.  I'm going to call him the deja vu kid because I kept seeing him throughout the ride.  I also saw David a couple times as well.  Nice pedaling guys.  Keep coming out.

Was it just me or did it seem like we were pushing hard from the very beginning?  Maybe my speed perception was a little off since I was on Eddie's bike, but I could swear that was even faster through Anteater than normal.  It's good we got to regroup again (albeit temporarily) on Bonita Canyon.

Up Turtle Rock, the group definitely started to string out while I was pacing Hiroshi and Mitchell.  On Starcrest, I took a stab at catching Adrian, but he kicked it up just near the top to keep me at bay.  Mitchell and I tried making up some ground on Ridgeline, but at the bottom, it felt different when putting the power down on the Felt, so I ended up dropping some just to watch the guys pull away on the bike trail.

I was on my own after that, but it was nice to get some alone time with the loaner.  Going uphills, the bike felt really good.  It's hard to know for sure how well I was doing given I was riding on my own, but perception-wise, I liked it.  On the flats and downhills, I liked how the bike rode but it seemed to have just a little less snap (again, likely seat height related) than my bike.   Thanks for letting me borrow, Eddie!

Overall, a good training day today with the guys.  Looking forward to Thursday already.  Thanks, gents.