Good mix of hard and easy riding today.
Day started early with a 4:00 a.m. wake up. Enjoyed a bowl of loaded overnight oats with toast and a glass of milk. Skipped on the coffee because I’m lazy and didn’t want to clean out my french press to make it. Thankfully have a bottle of caffeine pills for just such occasions.
Before rolling out I started the ride on my computer and sent the LiveTrack link over to Josh who was meeting us at Mountains Edge Park. I wasn’t entirely sure how long it would take us to get there from Anthem Hills Park. We made it in 40 minutes or had it take as long as an hour. Largely depends on who shows up in Anthem. Thankfully Mark was the only rider to show up and we rode over at a nice chill but steady pace.
Rolled into Mountains Edge Park and Josh was actually waiting across the street for us. Think he’d expected us to roll up and he’d just start rolling with us. Instead we made a quick pit stop at the park for a bathroom break and to check some settings on Mark’s Wahoo. We were there for less than five minutes before rolling out to Pedal & Pour.
We continued our chill pace over to Pedal & Pour and rolled up about 20 minutes later. Was surprised to see a decent sized group already on hand. Then was further impressed as more and more riders showed up. All told by the time we rolled out we were at 33 riders!
Ride started off with a solid steady pace. Was tapped to lead out by Robert and while up front had a great chat with Denys. Denys is a recent transplant from Washington state and we had a great conversation while we were riding up the west of Summerlin. Cruising along it didn’t take long before Dave and Jon popped off and left us behind. Our little group had a decent ride all the way up to Alta and along the descent to Cimarron we caught Dave and Jon at Rampart. Had a quick spin north on Cimarron to the Kellogg Zaher Sports Complex for a restroom break and regroup.
After a break just shy of 15 minutes we rolled out for Villa Ridge. Along the way we had a little traffic problem with a sports group setting up tents along the sidewalk/trail next to the parking lot. We had to call an audible and cut over into the parking lot a little earlier than we’re accustomed to. Thankfully everyone was smart, took their time, and no one ended up on their backsides.
Did my best to take it easy heading over to Villa Ridge (VR). Similar to last time I rode VR, I knew I wanted to really put in a strong effort and perhaps beat my previous PR. Last week was a zero week with the vacation and I’d only done two commutes so I’d hoped the legs would cooperate. Sadly it wasn’t meant to be. I ended up 36 seconds behind my PR back on 3/3/23. Interestingly, I had similar power output but was heart rate was higher this time. Definitely went harder this time, but I didn’t push it all the way through to the end of the segment. Mostly because I was out of gas. Lesson learned for next time.
After my three loops at the top I caught up to everyone while we waited for the last few to finish up. We all took a few minutes to catch our breath and grab some food before the descent to Thomas Ryan. As I rolled up to Thomas Ryan I decided to pull into the traffic lane and wave everyone behind me through. In the past we’ve come screaming down that descent and nearly had an accident. One funny part is that my Varia detected some of the riders coming down as cars due to being so fast and in close clumps. Made me chuckle.
Made the short ride up Lake Mead before joining the beltway trail. At this point I was well behind the head of the pack so I just rode my ride. Hit the crossing light for the few riders who were behind me. Also doubled back to check on a pair of riders, not form our group, who looked like they were working on a mechanical. Thankfully they were all good to go so I rolled on.
A quick trip along the beltway trail before hopping off at Far Hills. Rode up to Carriage Hills to connect to Red Point. After a nice climb up Red Point we turned onto Sky Vista and the lead pack had stopped at the corner of Far Hills and the taco truck nearby. Of course didn’t need to threaten anyone with good tacos so several folks took a break to nab some food. I decided to pass this time around, but too the opportunity to chat with Stu and fix Isabelle’s saddle. It seems that the bolt came loose, the saddle had dropped to it lowest position andGood mix of hard and easy riding today.
Day started early with a 4:00 a.m. wake up. Enjoyed a bowl of loaded overnight oats with toast and a glass of milk. Skipped on the coffee because I’m lazy and didn’t want to clean out my french press to make it. Thankfully have a bottle of caffeine pills for just such occasions.
Before rolling out I started the ride on my computer and sent the LiveTrack link over to Josh who was meeting us at Mountains Edge Park. I wasn’t entirely sure how long it would take us to get there from Anthem Hills Park. We made it in 40 minutes or had it take as long as an hour. Largely depends on who shows up in Anthem. Thankfully Mark was the only rider to show up and we rode over at a nice chill but steady pace.
Rolled into Mountains Edge Park and Josh was actually waiting across the street for us. Think he’d expected us to roll up and he’d just start rolling with us. Instead we made a quick pit stop at the park for a bathroom break and to check some settings on Mark’s Wahoo. We were there for less than five minutes before rolling out to Pedal & Pour.
We continued our chill pace over to Pedal & Pour and rolled up about 20 minutes later. Was surprised to see a decent sized group already on hand. Then was further impressed as more and more riders showed up. All told by the time we rolled out we were at 33 riders!
Ride started off with a solid steady pace. Was tapped to lead out by Robert and while up front had a great chat with Denys. Denys is a recent transplant from Washington state and we had a great conversation while we were riding up the west of Summerlin. Cruising along it didn’t take long before Dave and Jon popped off and left us behind. Our little group had a decent ride all the way up to Alta and along the descent to Cimarron we caught Dave and Jon at Rampart. Had a quick spin north on Cimarron to the Kellogg Zaher Sports Complex for a restroom break and regroup.
After a break just shy of 15 minutes we rolled out for Villa Ridge. Along the way we had a little traffic problem with a sports group setting up tents along the sidewalk/trail next to the parking lot. We had to call an audible and cut over into the parking lot a little earlier than we’re accustomed to. Thankfully everyone was smart, took their time, and no one ended up on their backsides.
Did my best to take it easy heading over to Villa Ridge (VR). Similar to last time I rode VR, I knew I wanted to really put in a strong effort and perhaps beat my previous PR. Last week was a zero week with the vacation and I’d only done two commutes so I’d hoped the legs would cooperate. Sadly it wasn’t meant to be. I ended up 36 seconds behind my PR back on 3/3/23. Interestingly, I had similar power output but was heart rate was higher this time. Definitely went harder this time, but I didn’t push it all the way through to the end of the segment. Mostly because I was out of gas. Lesson learned for next time.
After my three loops at the top I caught up to everyone while we waited for the last few to finish up. We all took a few minutes to catch our breath and grab some food before the descent to Thomas Ryan. As I rolled up to Thomas Ryan I decided to pull into the traffic lane and wave everyone behind me through. In the past we’ve come screaming down that descent and nearly had an accident. One funny part is that my Varia detected some of the riders coming down as cars due to being so fast and in close clumps. Made me chuckle.
Made the short ride up Lake Mead before joining the beltway trail. At this point I was well behind the head of the pack so I just rode my ride. Hit the crossing light for the few riders who were behind me. Also doubled back to check on a pair of riders, not form our group, who looked like they were working on a mechanical. Thankfully they were all good to go so I rolled on.
A quick trip along the beltway trail before hopping off at Far Hills. Rode up to Carriage Hills to connect to Red Point. After a nice climb up Red Point we turned onto Sky Vista and the lead pack had stopped at the corner of Far Hills and the taco truck nearby. Of course didn’t need to threaten anyone with good tacos so several folks took a break to nab some food. I decided to pass this time around, but too the opportunity to chat with Stu and fix Isabelle’s saddle. It seems that the bolt came loose, the saddle had dropped to it lowest position, and had been miserable. Thankfully an impromptu fitting session and she was good to go at least back to Pedal & Pour.
After tacos we set off for Pedal & Pour. Of course this is when things started getting fast. With the descent it’s a no brainer. Had a solid ride and we were lined up pretty well all the way to Pedal & Pour.
Once back to Pedal & Pour I was excited to get a pastry and coffee in me while relaxing and chatting with everyone. Hung out for an hour in total before heading out for home. Had to turn down some extra credit with Henry, Denys, and Josh. Mark and I had been asked to ride with Mylene back to her place in Via Inspirada. Wasn’t much of an ask as it certainly wasn’t out of the way. Before leaving we made sure to get Isabelle to work with the Pedal & Pour guys to double check her seat and make sure it was torqued to spec.
Caleb had decided to roll with us until Blue Diamond when he would hang a right to tackle a Red Rock flyby. The four of us kept it pretty chill but steady. That would be the pace, really, Mark, Mylene, and I all the way back to Inspirada.
After making sure that Marlana was good to go solo for the rest of her ride home, Mark and I set off for home ourselves. I could have gone a more direct route, but decided to take us around Inspirada before climbing Anthem Parkway. Not sure how I still had some decent legs under me, but I got out ahead of Mark some. When I reached Somersworth I pulled over to let him get caught up. As he approached I told him not to stop and as he passed I jumped onto his wheel. We rode together all the way back to Anthem Hills Park where he turned off to head back to his place.
I continued along Reunion to make my way home. At this point it was pretty much my bone standard ride home from Anthem Hills Park. Felt pretty good and made some decent, but certainly not PR material, climbs back to the house.
Was happy to nail a century today. I always start to worry I’m losing fitness when I have so many days off the bike. Even though I had a couple commutes earlier this week, when those were done, especially on Thursday, I was feeling a bit more winded than I thought I should have. Of course that got me thinking and worried that I might have to do some more rides before tackling another century. I was particularly happy when I rolled into the driveway and wasn’t completely dead. Pretty solid ride considering the length and the big effort on Villa Ridge.
2.78 new miles — From Wandrer.earth
Give your activities the names they deserve. – by Bandok.com
Partly cloudy-Partly sunny, 48°F-56°F, Feels like 46°F-63°F, Humidity 26%-17%, Wind NNE 5mph-NE 7mph – by Klimat.app
— myWindsock Report —
Weather Impact: 6.7%
Headwind: 47% @ 5.4-23mph
Longest Headwind: 27m 17s
Air Speed: 17.1mph
Temp: 44.3-54.1°F
Precip: 0% @ 0 Inch/hr
— END —
Max elevation: 3538 ft
Min elevation: 2270 ft
Total climbing: 5844 ft
Total descent: -5828 ft
Total time: 08:22:08
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