Today I went on my first group ride with the "other" club I belong to. Not the one I lead for. The ride started in a hilly area I ride in frequently, and I really wanted to do the longer ride (42 miles), but it was also the fast group, and on this type of ride, I'd be dying with them. Overall, this group is social and not super fast, but I made a good decision. I rode 31 miles through Bolton, Harvard, Boxborough, Stow, and back to the leader's condo clubhouse, where we had a catered lunch in exchange for donations to the PMC. This was serious suffering for me, about 2500- 3K feet of climbing in my estimation and every big hill around. I stayed up front with the big boys, who actually were pushing it for the "moderate" group. They slowed a lot on the hills and I actually did my best here.
Glad I did this, because I need to get my azz in gear. It's gorgeous out. I rode in short sleeves and shorts, although I did have a sleeveless base layer on. Also, it was my first ride trying out Skratch Labs Exercise Hydration Mix. It's a +1 for me. No aftertaste and no stomach pain. Very light and fresh. I had decided to go with the Nuun R Naturals for an electrolyte only product, since it is so much cheaper than the Skratch electrolytes. I hate the flavors of the Nuun r Naturals... just don't like Chai and Acai, but I'll use them, since I use those more than the Hydration mix.