Does the wind blow in Davis?
The Davis 200+ K was a training ride for me, which I meant approached it with much different mindset. I didn't want to just finish; I wanted to see how hard I could push and for how long.
The ride started with a group start at 7 AM. There were 40 or 50 people. It was about 50 degrees out. I stayed with the pack for the first two miles or so. When they were doing 18 mph that was great, but every 1000 feet or so, they would surge up to 22. I have a hard time doing 22 when I'm warmed up, so these sprints and the cold were really killing my knees. So I dropped off the back.
At first I was a little annoyed with myself, because it is SO windy in Davis. But as I was riding along, struggling into the wind, I was able to look around and see the 6 hot air ballons, the huge birds,the beautiful sky as the sun came up... much better than staring at someone's wheel.
The first thirty miles are through flat farmland. The route than rolls along Putah Creek through a beautiful canyon. I really enjoy this part of the ride everytime I do it. Funny, I guess I just like riding through canyons. The route than has a short climb to the dam for Lake Berryessa, a little bit of descent than another climb - up Cardiac. Cardiac climbs 530 feet in 1.5 miles, average grade 6.7%
My average HR to this point had been 168 - right where I wanted it. But my legs were paying the price. In addition I wanted to stay out of my 24 x 27 gear when I climbed. My new bike will not have this gear. Those two things made Cardiac a bear for me.
After descending Cardiac the route climbs some more for another 3 miles at 2.5% average grade. Then you arrive at Muskovite Corners where there is a general store. I'm hoping there will be some other cyclists there. I round the corner and see a green wooly warm jersey, and think, "Hey, that's like the one Lee wears." Wait, that is Lee! And SK, Bubba, Jobob and Trekhawk! I gave them the appropriate AV greeting and we rode together to my next turn. I wasn't working hard enough. :) So had to head off on my own.
I continued on out to the turnaround and lunch spot. The AV gang rode up a few minutes before I was ready to leave. We made plans to hook up for dinner.
The route out climbed 2655 feet in 65 miles, my average HR was 168, average speed 14.2
This is an out and back route so now read the above backwards. :D
Starting back I was a little cold. I eventually caught up to another rider and we rode together back to Muskovite, where he stopped at the store. I was now having a hard time keeping my HR above 160. I really enjoyed the descent out of Muskovite, the climb back up Cardiac, not so much.
I stopped at a convenience store at mile 100, called Thom and bought water, Gatorade and a Red Bull. I was now back to the flats. And being Davis, I still had headwinds. Actually, that's not entirely true. There were times when it was a crosswind or even a tailwind.
Thom called me back and said he wasn't going to make it to the finish in time, that I was going too fast! I love it! I caught up to another rider and we finished together.
The return trip average HR was 155, a bit lower than I wanted. The goal was 160. The route climbed 2000 feet, I averaged 15mph.
Total time: 9:37
Overall HR average: 161
Overall average speed: 14.6 mph
Total Climb: 4655 ft.
I'm pleased with how hard I pushed. On the Mount Tam double my average HR was 143. Today, my muscles are a little tired, but not sore.
Dinner with the gang was great. We sang Happy Birthday to SK.
V.
PS
I also know why I want knickers. I never took off my knee warmers, by the end of the ride, I had nasty imprints that hurt caused by the elastic of the knee warmers.
