OK, maybe we don't need a Thursday ride post--but mine went well! I've been taking it easy--tapering for my century this weekend. However, DH coaxed me out onto our neighborhood "Hill" ride this morning. I swore I would hang back and bail before the big hills he planned on tackling later. There are three stoplights out and back on the 16 mile ride (6 total). This is usually where he waits for me, or at the top of the big hills. I rolled up to the first light and he was surprised to see me. I rolled up to the second light and he said, "You're riding fast today." I told him I wasn't--I was taking it easy in the middle chain ring. He made a face and said he was riding hard and he didn't wait long for me. GREEN light. At the third light, he was again surprised to see me roll up so quickly. Again, I told him I was saving my legs by downshifting earlier on the hills--even going into my smallest chainring BEFORE arriving at the biggest hills--I had noticed he wasn't disappearing over the top like usual.

When we reached our separation point he invited me along--nope I'm headed back. He said, "OK, we've got a good average pace going--let's go back."

Once we are off the Highway-Outer-Road and in the safety of the neighborhoods he usually dumps me, and tries to make it to the house and out of the shower before I roll into the driveway--but he was standing in the driveway clipping off his helmet!

Easy is faster. Who knew? I'm sure I read it in a book somewhere. My BIL always tell me I downshift too early on hills. DH insists that was my fastest ride yet--technically it is a tie but my HR was an average of 2 beats lower. YEAH!