For his first ride, we decide he needs a flat route with options to cut it short, if necessary. He says he's competitive, so that may work in his favor. I know how rough my first rides were and will be impressed if he completes the 20 mile route Pete has planned for him.
I start out and show the group the way. When I come to the first intersection where we turn, I stand in the intersection and wave the group through so they don't have to stop. Vicki picks up the job at the next intersection and I repeat the exercise at the third. At this point, we're about three miles out and Pete and Tony have fallen off the back a bit from the group. I wait for them and save them the stop, then jump on my bike and take off. I decide this is my chance to push myself, and take off at a fast 19 mph in an effort to catch Erica. I manage to finally catch her and am ready to slow down the pace. Apparently, she's ready for the same, so we find a comfortable pace between us.The group regroups at the next intersection and confirms the planned route. A few miles up the road, we point Erica to the turn for the shorter route as she has an appointment she needs to get back to town for earlier in the day. Pete and Tony planned to take this turn as well, so Phil, Lloyd and I head out to catch the girls on our way to the pie place. The guys allow me to set the pace and hang within a close distance. That is, until we hit the hill that slows me down. They pull away as I shift away and huff and puff up the hill. Just then, we find the girls have stopped to confirm the route and we're all together again. The guys keep on rolling and Vicki, Christina and I form a mini pace line along the last stretch to the pie place.
We arrive at the pie place for our break and go in for a drink, snack, pit stop and some cool air. As we're sitting there sorry that Pete won't get any chocolate pie today, we begin to contemplate the possibility of carrying a piece back to him. Just then, we see Tony and Pete pull in to the parking lot. I'm amazed at Tony's determination!
After a sufficient break, I head outside to stretch a bit before getting back on the bike. The group comes out and we hit the road again. I hang back with Pete and Tony as the group hits their higher pace. I'm enjoying the ride and occasionally hang close enough for a bit of idle conversation. As we approach a downhill, I allow my gravitational advantage to take over and break off the front a bit. I make the turn onto the next road and pause for a quick Gu break. We continue along Gin Road, one of Pete's favorites. Suddenly, I hear "on your left." I respond, "thank you" and turn to look at the voice that sounded familiar but I couldn't place. To my surprise, there's Lloyd. "Where did you come from?" He explains the lead group missed a turn and went a mile out of their way, but made the turn onto Gin Road further out and was just beginning to catch up to us.
As a group, we took a break at the church and then cut it short when we discovered our group couldn't all keep it church parking lot appropriate, or at least cut down the volume as the parishioners began to arrive for church. The group stayed pretty close together until we arrived at the hills. Trying to motivate Tony, I mentioned that the first time I attempted these hills, I was on the Schwinn and managed to ride all the way up both of them, granted super slow, but I pedaled up them. At the top of the second hill, I found some shade and waited for Tony to make it up the hill. He walked it a bit, but was ready to jump back on the bike as he crested the hill.
In all, we had a great group ride. Tony had an amazing first ride and I have no doubt he will be ready for this ride in ten weeks.
Goals
Today's Miles: 28.5
Total Miles Achieved: 560.4
Financial Investment: $1781.14
Total Weight Loss: -0.4
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