The problem with kleptomaniacs is that they always take things literally.

Finally a Saturday ride without having to lug Boots around!

With today’s ride scheduled to start from the PTs near the intersection of Green Valley Pkwy and Horizon Ridge, I decided to ride the extra loop that Boots and I usually do. I’d heard from Dave and Kant earlier that they would be coming over from the west side and we agreed to meet at Cactus and LVB.

I arrived right on time to find them both waiting for me. I think they had planned on taking Cactus east before navigating the Seven Hills area. I convinced the boys to join me in going north to Pebble before turning east to Green Valley Pkwy. As we started rolling along LVB, Dave let me know that they had actually come south along LVB from Alta and were now doubling back on their route. I had thought for certain they had come across Cactus. I also learned from Kant that he was only riding to the start before turning around and heading home. He was only out to be in the group picture Robert had planned and had family obligations to tend to immediately afterwards.

The three of us arrived at PTs just on time and found a decent sized group waiting. We darted inside to take our group photo, and then went back out into the cool air to get ready to roll out.

The ride over to and around Boulder City went really well. I had a good time rolling out front with the gang in tow. We were pleasantly surprised to find police directing traffic at the Nevada State Dr crossing of the UPRR. It wouldn’t be until we were coming back through did we realize that a Spartan event was going on near Nevada State University and they were, we assume, using the trail for a portion of their course. We skipped stopping at Railroad Pass and stopped in front of the Veterans home instead. After a regroup we continued on for the airport loop.

On the way back just before Railroad Pass, Dave and I were way out in front, just the two of us when this young rider with another older rider came upon us. The young chap would over take me and then eventually Dave while his partner managed to split Dave and I. The four of us then just motored through the pass until just past the second railroad crossing. It was shortly after that when we lost the two and actually I got gapped by Dave. Thankfully he stopped at the bus stop at the end of the trail so we could wait for the rest of the gang. While we waited the young gun and his partner went flying by to start their descent.

Once the rest of the gang arrived I started giving Dave a hard time about our ride with the young gun. I couldn’t help but joke that Dave was trying to “assert dominance” and let the young kid know “us old guys still got it”. Pretty quickly the entire group was laughing at the idea of Dave just brutalizing this kid on the bike and that this young kid was going to go home, hang up his helmet, and never ride again.

The ride back to PTs went as you would expect it, fast. We had a solid group up front and I’m pretty happy that I was able to keep up after really pushing the Georgia and Marina climbs. After a final push up Green Valley Pkwy we arrived at PTs to hold our post-ride birthday celebration. I decided to have a second breakfast with some coffee as did several others. Then there were those who opted for lunch instead.

After a nice meal and chat with the crew I decided to roll out with Dave and escort him to the west side. We made decent enough time and after another break at Pedal & Pour I decided to join him through south Summerlin to the intersection of DFH and Charleston. Once there we said our goodbyes as he continued north and I set out for a Red Rock Flyby. While I briefly considered doing the loop, I noticed I was nearly at 100 for the day and decided against it. I’m happy I did as the fatigue started setting in after I made the right turn onto Grand Canyon from Blue Diamond. The legs would come and go on and off for the remainder of the ride, but ultimately made it home without issue after a final stop at my usual Starbucks.

New bike fund: $89.15 (+$0.10), €1.52 (+€0.00), ₱10.00 (+₱0.00), ֏10.00 (+֏0.00)
878 total shifts, 77 front, 801 rear. 83.1% of the ride in the big ring, 16.9% in the small ring. Most time spent in 52×21, 18.1% — by di2stats.com
692 vehicles @ 5.2 per mile, 1.5 per minute, Speeds: 39.6 mph (avg), 74.0 mph (max) — by MyBikeTraffic.com
Give your activities the names they deserve. — by Bandok.com
Clear-Sunny, 39°F-66°F, Feels like 41°F-67°F, Humidity 90%-18%, Wind SSE 2mph-WSW 6mph — by Klimat.app
— myWindsock.com Report —
Weather Impact™: -2.3%
Headwind: 43% @ 1.8 – 19.9 mph
Longest Headwind: 01h 17m 41s
Air Speed: 12.8 mph
Temp: 38-62.6 °F
Precip: 0% @ 0 Inch/hr
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