Had a late start getting my warmup going prior to the group ride last night but I have actually been feeling really good lately so I had no worries about it. We rolled out of Bike Tech at 6pm for a pretty good workout to the South through Dike and Hudson. Although, it all started to get good at around mile 2 when Chad attacked off the front and sent the group of six chasing him down. I waited for about a minute or so and then I attacked as well and was chased down pretty quick. Then Doug attacked and no one else went after him. He was out a few hundred feet when I decided to chase him down and get away from the group myself. After catching up with Doug, we were able to hold off the group for the next four miles or so before getting to the first turn and sitting up. My brother Adam was off the back so as the group continued on to the South, I waited for him and then began my chase. He stated that I did not have to wait but, I was actually looking forward to the next section of the ride since I had just given the other five riders around a seven minute headstart.

Getting the motor going to 27 mph and sticking it there for the vast majority of the ride back to Waterloo was the order of business as we headed South to Dike and then continued on to Hudson. I had the group in my sights just after getting through Dike and was about 2.5 minutes behind them with plenty of energy still in the tank. Adam was actually holding on pretty well through Dike but, he began to really feel the burn as we hit the final couple of hills before arriving at the Zanetta blacktop. I sat up for him on the uphills, gave him some encouraging words, and then started to get the pistons going again. I really only had to sit up for two or three times so he was actually doing pretty good. However, as we made the final turn to head East to Hudson he began to really show his fatigue. I did what I could to keep him out of the wind and as relaxed as can be expected but, speeds dipped down around 23mph and the group started to distance itself once again with about five miles to go. No big deal, I just kept going as hard as I could without losing Adam and I made it to Hudson still riding strong with Adam still on my wheel. Well, most of him was still with me anyway. The ride actually reminded me of just a few seasons ago when Kerkove would pull me around the countryside with no problem and I struggled to stay on his wheel. I guess you could say that i am passing the torch in a way.

Adam still said that I didn't need to wait but, I think that it was an opportunity for a great workout. Chasing down a group is no easy task, it will definitely make you work hard. Pacing is a huge key in making it successful and even though I did not catch them I was very much satisifed with bringing them back as close as I did while not losing Adam. He said that he was pretty tired when we finished up last night but, I think that he will quickly realize the benefits of pushing his own limits once in a while. If he stays on top of the training through the off-season he could be right up in the mix of things first thing in the spring.

As far as the title for today's post goes, I actually um.......how does one say this in a non-disgusting way? I regurgitated just little bit about three times during the long stretches of near-30mph pulls. I know that it sounds pretty gross, and it is, but I was actualy still feeling really good so slowing down really was not an option. Sorry. :)

Legs were a bit heavy this morning but, the nice easy spin into work helped to get rid of most of that and I am sure that the second spin of the day on the way back home will take care of the rest. Commuting is going well so far, can you tell?

This entry was posted on 8.20.2008 at 12:46 PM. You can skip to the end and leave a response.