Mission Trail Group Ride

Some friends mentioned wanting to ride with us, so we arranged a group ride for today on the Mission Trail. Pete loaded up the bikes and we headed over to Robert and Marissa's to meet up. Paula and Jack joined us and Robert loaded Baby Franco's new bike trailer. We caravaned down to Mission San José. After a quick bike inspection of tire pressure and attaching the baby trailer, we were off!

The nine-mile round trip from Mission San José to Mission Espada is a trail along the San Antonio river. We started out in a group of six (well seven if you count the baby) with Pete leading and coaching and I kept the group together from behind.

Once we hit the trail, I couldn't pedal that slow anymore (apparently since I'm not yet well versed in shifting.) Armed with my new computer, I took off at what felt like a comfortable pace with steady pedaling. Pete eventually caught up with me and asked my rpm (this is known as cadence to cyclists.) I proudly reported that I was holding at a pretty steady 60. It was a super windy day, so I'd fall below that when a big gust of wind hit me in the face. I was instructed that I should be aiming at 80 for a good cardio workout. Well, shoot! Here I am ahead of the pack, pulling away from them thinking I'm doing well, and now I have to pedal harder?!?!? He's right though, so off I go. Gotta get the cardio workout.

The wind truly was a challenge, and with it being a headwind, it made the uphills even worse. 80 rpm was just not happening today. I could hit it, but not sustain it, so I adjusted my personal goal for the day to 70. My coach was busy, so that was unapproved, but I decided at least I was trying to push myself and hold something rather than getting the 80 in bursts.

Baby Franco was getting fussy in the trailer, so Robert and Marissa headed back. Paula, Jack, Pete and I trucked on into the wind. I got some coaching on shifting and began to better understand how, when, and why to shift. Usually, I find a gear that feels good and then forget about the gears. Pete coached me through a big downhill and uphill. I thought I was prepared for the uphill, but yikes! It was a big one. He cheered me on, and somehow managed to pedal slow enough to keep up with me. Paula and Jack gave up in middle of the hill and turned around. I was determined and I made it!

At the top of the hill, was Mission Espada and the turn-around point for the trail. I was exhausted, out of breath, and feeling my cold again, but I made it. However, it really was only half-way because now I had to bike back to the truck. We did it. Pete coached me through it. I enjoyed the ride and felt really good about getting out there. Yes, it was only nine miles and wasn't all that fast, but it was an improvement. Watching the numbers on the computer did it's job to help motivate me and keep me steady. Hopefully next time it will be less windy and I can focus more on the biking than beating the wind.

Goals
Today's Miles: 9
Total Miles Achieved: 14
Financial Investment: $0
Total Weight Loss: 2