Group biking is more fun

I have been thinking about how blessed I am, and how everyday of my life just gets better. As the date of the ride across Nevada grows closer (7 more days to the start), I contemplate just what I need to do training wise leading up to this ride? Today I was invited by four friends on a 40 mile ride around North Lake Tahoe area (we were going on a ride that is very similar to next September's Ironman Lake Tahoe ride, but only 40 miles not two laps and 116 miles like a Ironman), and I was very excited to do this. I'm always more motivated to ride with fellow bikers. Here we are at the beginning for the ride (Steve, Brent, Brandon, and Jim).

I wanted to see what two bike rides back to back and 40 miles (moderately difficult) would feel like. This would be a good test, and beginning next Sunday I will be doing 5, 80-100 mile rides, back to back. Today was to be an interesting day. First, as our group rode away from North Shore's CalNeva hotel towards Tahoe City, Steve hit a rock that caused him a flat tire. Luckily, he was group riding because I don't think he was caring a spare bike tube? Since there's 5 of us, he did get a lot of help changing his tire though. I always find it a tad bit ominous when I get a flat in the first mile of any ride (this has happened to me twice just this year, I also double flatted twice too). As the group helped Steve get back in the saddle, I was realizing I had a small issue that I needed to deal with.

After riding my bike for close to three years in the same Shimano shoes, this week I broke down and bought a new pair of road shoes. Along with the shoes I decided that my cleats were sufficiently worn, and could use replacement too (cleats are the platform that attached to the underside of the shoe and connects the shoe to the pedal). It all seemed like a good idea; however, as I began the ride I found that the shoe's cleats would not engage the pedals. Dang! Unknown to me that the pedals I use (Look Keo) use a slightly small cleat then the other Look products. I also learned a lesson from this, which is always test your equipment before setting off on any ride. Darn! I wasn't entirely sure if I could do a 40 mile ride with only my toes loosely engaged in the pedals? I informed the group that I was going to ride ahead and see if one of the bike shops in Tahoe City had the right cleats for my pedals. Off I went. I was not far from reaching Tahoe City, really beating myself up over my stupidity, when it dawned on me that I didn't have much money, and the cleats (if I found them) would certainly cost me more then I had. Would the other guys have any money with them, would the shop sell the cleats to me and let me pay them later, could I just continue on the ride with what I had now? It turned out once the group caught up to me in Tahoe City, Brandon had some cash and I scraped together just enough money to buy the right sized cleats. Lesson learned, and after a half hour detour, I was back in business.

The group rode ahead as I finished installing the new cleats on my new shoes, so I needed to catch up to them. Easier said then done. I jumped back onto Lourdes (named after my wife and daughter) and got down in Areo position and proceeded to "kill it" (that's biker terminology for ride as fast as I could). After speeding along around 23-24 mph for what seemed like ever, I still didn't see "the guys" up ahead. Finally, as I passed the Squaw Valley turn off, I caught a glimpse of Steve's Pink Breast Cancer Jersey and I figured they were about 400 yards head? I got back into fast biking position, and peddled as hard as I could; however, I still didn't seem to be making up ground on them? I knew that I was using up lots of energy just to catch up, but I wanted to be in the group. Finally, at the end of 89 stretch, maybe 30 mins of catch up, they stopped for me. Back in the group felt good, for sure.

30 miles down, ten killer miles up 267 past Northstar resort, left. I had never ridden the climb from Truckee to Kings Beach (and let me tell you, I'm not sure I want to do it ever again?).  What a climb this is. The extra weight of my panniers (about 15 pounds) were very noticeable during this 5 mile/6-7% grade. Steve and Brandon really pushed the pace up the long hill, and I struggled to just keep then in sight. I was reveling in my joy as I crested the summit and began the fast, fun ride down to Kings Beach.

By the time I reached the Jims' Toyota truck, I was done. I'm not sure why I felt so tired, but figured it was a combination of back to back rides, and all the energy I spent trying to catch up to the group during the middle of the ride? The Pink Breast Cancer Sleeveless Jersey came through for me again. This jersey is not only inspirational to me, but also it just feels soooo good on me. Good thing, because for 5 days next week I'll have this on for 6-7 hours/day. Here's a photo of us at the end of the ride.

Thank you mother nature for giving us a splendid day to enjoy the camaraderie of 5 dudes biking in the most beautiful place in the world.