The benefit of riding with a group:
Saturday, I did the N2 for the long ride out to Poolesville. After much chit-chat on the groups Yahoo listserv about the ride being taken over by hammerheads and it losing its character as a GROUP ride, they've been making a concerted effort to stick together as a group (except for the usual sprint zones, which usually are followed after a few miles by a re-group).
So, the group rode - rather nicely and chatting much of the way - out on our loop. Yet for all the "wow - this is nice and sedate" - I actually posted one of my fastest rides of the year with them. 60 miles at a 17.7 mph average. And...the best part...I didn't really FEEL that I hammered that hard. Sure...I was beat when I got home (I also did another 8 mile loop through Rock Creek Park at a slower 15 mph speed that ultimately brought down the average), but the ride itself was tolerable. Hmmm....there's a lesson in there somewhere.
And...Props to Pfunk12 who joined us and posted her longest ride...EVER. She is super strong, and I definitely know who's wheel I'm going to be sucking on future rides!!! Congrats, P!