New Albany Ride

My training buddies have been bugging me forever to join the Thursday night New Albany speed ride.  I finally gave in to the peer pressure and went out tonight.  I rode the 17 miles over there from Granville at a very easy spinning pace.  I gave myself enough time to hit a convenience store and get some cool liquids in me. 

I went with the B group, sized at about 30-40 riders.  We hit rolling backroads through Licking County over to the edge of Granville.  The pace was brisk, I think we were at 23mph average before making the turn back into the wind.  Even after the climb up Jersey Mill, we were still above 22mph.  What was really impressive is that young Anthony (10 years old) was hanging with the group well.

This kind of thing is good for me.  That burst of speed and recover.  That interval training.  All that is missing from my mostly steady diet of longer rides.  If I can do a bunch more of these rides, it should help my fitness considerably.

Fargo Go Go

I can't resist taking photos of old churches and schools.

Since the school term is wrapping up and the nice weather is here, I've been on the bike more and my form is coming along.  I got in two fast cross rides this week on hilly gravel; 40 miles on Wednesday and 45 more miles on Friday.  I also snuck in two easier runs.   Today (Sunday) I joined Mike S on his super route.  He mapped out 51 miles of hilly gravel starting from his house.  A group of us rode out to his place from Granville, did the ride, and rode back.

It was a lovely day, temps in the 70s, a stiff breeze that didn't seem to bother us much but provided some cooling, and brilliant sunshine.

  Anthony went out with us for the first 20 miles or so; at 10 years old he is quite the strong rider.

The group strung out on one of the steep climbs.

We stayed together as a group for the first 16 miles to Somerset.  It was hilly indeed!   After a nice early lunch, the group split into different paces and I went with John S out front.  I was blessed with strong legs today and I think we averaged about 16.5 mph after the lunch stop.   I scored some new dirt roads in Perry State Forest that were fantastic.  Kudos to Mike for plotting out such a great route.

I ended the day with 84 miles, 15.1 mph average, and 5550' vertical.   And I wasn't at all blown at the end.  Tired yes, blown no!

The Fargo really impressed today.  Yes, the ride would have been faster on a cross bike.  But the Fargo can scoot if necessary. 

Another abandoned school.

Mike D cresting a gravel climb.

One of the reclamation lakes in Perry State Forest.

Perry SF had awesome, smooth gravel with gentle grades.