Today was another in the series of training rides for El Tour de Tucson, with the coaches from Carmichael Training. This was the first "endurance ride" - the others have been skills rides: buddy riding and bike handling, cornering, pacelines and hill repeats.

Today we rode 40 miles with about 1200 feet of climbing. The ride followed a portion of the El Tour course (maybe about 20-25 miles of it?). Although I always seem to be getting dropped no matter who I ride with, I managed to stay with my group for about 60% of the ride, and the well organized pacelines upped my average to 16.5 mph- when my solo rides are usually about 14.5-15, and on yesterday's 71 mile ride I was at about 15.1 But with 111 miles in two days, I'm ready for a day or two off, at least!