Our 14th week of training started out with the Immunity Challenge for the Scott&BR Show contestants. Six out of the seven remaining contestants were present today and eagerly awaiting the next challenge which was a quiz. This quiz was different, however, in that it asked questions about each of the QMDC Group Ride Leaders. Some were pretty easy, but others were hard. We all gave it our best shot, but it was no match for Nina who got the most answers correct and thus earned this week’s Immunity Pump. Nina won the Immunity Challenge the last time around too, but had to give it away to someone. Karma is a wonderful thing and we got to see it happen today. Nice going Nina!The ride today was the Del Dios 395 Circle R loop. It started out with the usual low cadence and a chance to get caught up with what others did over the past week. We soon found ourselves riding on familiar territory and for the most part, the ride progressed nicely to the first SAG stop at the top of Del Dios Highway. Tina was there with her warm smile, H20 sprayer, and peanut butter sandwiches. Thanks Tina!
We then rode north to a hill we haven’t ridden before. As we made a right onto Circle R Drive, the Group 2 Ride Leaders Pat, John, and Kevin warned us that this hill is steep, but even after the steep parts it keeps on going, and going so to pedal through it. Pat promised that we would enjoy it. One of our usual ride leaders, Bryon Black, was not able to join us this week. He was competing in a team time-trial on Fiesta Island. A big shout out to Bryon who was missed on this ride and who came in second in the team time trial on Saturday, and fourth overall in the Cat4/5 on Sunday. Congratulations Bryon!
The hill promised a good challenge and I would say it definitely delivered. We all made it up without incident except for me. I had a pretty good tempo working up the hill and whenever I got to a flat area, I would shift to my big ring in front and then back down to my small ring once the hill started again. It was on the last part of the final climb that I shifted from big to small and the chain dropped on me. Everyone waved as they went by and I finally managed to climb the remaining 50 feet over the top and another 50 feet to the SAG stop.
We were half way through our break when a small group of riders approached us and asked for help. One of the ladies had her cleat come off of her shoe because the bolts loosened and her cleat was stuck in her pedal. Thinking fast, Dan aka “The Man” whipped out his tool and re-shoed her in record time. After many thanks, the group was on their way riding again.
After leaving the SAG stop, we were warned that this would be the last SAG. We all topped our bottles off and proceeded down the road. We stayed on W. Lilac Rd. over the next few miles and were rewarded by a nice downhill with lots of twists and turns. At the end it was Pat Jak leading the way with Kevin (a former radio contestant) and myself attacking each other. But we were not match for Pat as he pulled away at the end.
Once we regrouped, we rode together pretty much the rest of the way home. I must say that Group 2 is looking pretty solid. We have had a chance to ride with each other for 14 weeks and it shows. It will be a big advantage once we ride down the coast in October knowing the riders you are with and how they ride.
Once we got to the Oceanside Bike Path, we were rewarded with a surprise SAG stop. Tina and Brent Reman aka “Cowboy” set up some water and food for us at a picnic bench just at the start of the bike path. It was a welcome sight and many thanks to Tina, Brent, and Brent’s son who provided the unexpected stop. It was very appreciated by all of the riders.While we were riding along the coast, we were passed by a motorcycle club. There were hundreds of bikes, including scooters, who were riding two by two down the coast. The ride was the Forgotten Warrior Run POW/MIIA Day Recognition in honor of our 22 servicemen still missing in Vietnam. There were all sorts of choppers, fatboys, Harley's, Vespas, and even a poodle sticking out of the back of one of the scooters.
We then were passed by a classic car club that had some pretty remarkable cars. Hot rods, cruisers, coupes and other cars with lots of horsepower were zooming by us. It was a rare treat.
The rest of the ride went pretty smooth as we ourselves zipped down the coast. Once we rolled into the parking lot, a few of us stayed a while and talked while waiting for the other groups to roll in. It gave Mike H. and me an opportunity to chat a little about our Sushi Silent Auction that we are pulling together. It also allowed us to get to know each other a little better, because after all, we will soon be seeing each other every day for seven straight days come mid-October. By then, we should pretty much know each other very well.
It's coming together!
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