NOVA-CBG Dueling Triangles

Had a blast doing the "Dueling Triangles" ride. I broke everyone up into two groups, flipped a coin, and that determined who went which way. We rode together from Shirlington to the split for the reverse triangle and then it was game on. Went out strong and fast but lost my little pack as I approached the Route 1 underpass and had to stop to retrieve it. I tried to spin it back up to speed and did get out in front of some who passed me. I started to see the clockwise folks right around the Key Bridge Marriott, which is right around where I expected. As per usual, the westbound Custis rollers slowed me down but I motored through them smoothly and picked up speed wherever it was flat or downhill. Caught up to some of the "boys" on my team on the W&OD and we all finished strong to Shirlington. I'm really looking forward to running this challenge again and I even have plans for a "double triangle" challenge: out one direction, back the other. That should be a hoot. Now gotta rest up for tomorrow's Hills and Trees, Thrills and Breeze ride.

NOVA-CBG Dueling Triangles by kwarkentien at Garmin Connect - Details

Indian Head Century: 46+ Miles My Way

This was my "recovery" ride from yesterday's Amish Country 107.3 mile century and it was a good workout but not without its little trials and tribulations. I got to ride with Steve and Sue, who were wonderful, especially after I pulled a "Randi" leaving the first rest stop. I fell, hard and smacked my left knee right on the patella. That took the wind right out of my sails but we pressed on and Steve and Sue kept slowing up for me to catch up. I decided I wasn't going to do the killer "Rose Hill" hill and set out to find my own end-around to bypass it. I was able to find a route that took me a bit further but without any substantive hills and I was able to rejoin the route a few miles later, where I found Joseph and Raaj, joined quickly by Gary and Paris. I started to draft (my favorite activity!) and got my mojo back. I finished strong with a 13.4 mph average. It won't set the world on fire but it's fine with me. Now, what to do tomorrow? Perhaps some more CaBi rides.

Indian Head Century: 46 Miles My Way by kwarkentien at Garmin Connect - Details

Amish Country Bike Tour: Full English Century (and a Little More)

I wound up adding 5 extra miles by making one wrong turn, but that makes this my longest ride ever to date at 107.3 miles. It was a fantastic day in Dover and a lovely ride through the flat, flat, flat little towns by farmers' fields and lots of friendly Amish folk. Did my share of both pulling and drafting on the course and some solitary cruising. I was humming for the first 65, averaging 17 mph. The next loop, with the unexpected "detour," I started to slow down and my average dropped into the low 16s. But the last 12 miles, I got my groove back for the most part and rode for a good part of it with the DC Spokesmen group and brought the average back up to 16.5. This is definitely a must-ride on my schedule for next year.

Amish Country Bike Tour by kwarkentien at Garmin Connect - Details

NOVA-CBG Arlington Triangle Minus Fish Plus Xtra Miles

Hot, sticky day but had a great run out the Arlington Triangle. Had to skip the Hains Point/Fish Market/Washington Monument loop and rush back to Shirlington for an 11:30 lunch with the Nebbish. I was a few minutes late because I was checking out Randi who got felled by a errant hose across the trail in Rosslyn. Poor thing was really bruised up. Had a nice lunch and then waited for the crew to arrive back in Shirlington. Rode to Falls Church with Randi to deliver her home and then went to FreshBikes to get a noseless saddle and some other goodies. The new saddle is perfect: gets rid of that pain in the aero position. Not as many miles as I wanted today but still not a bad day. Back to work tomorrow. Boo!!!

NOVA-CBG Arlington Triangle Minus Fish Plus Xtra Miles by kwarkentien at Garmin Connect - Details

NOVA-CBG Two Rides: Boot Camp & Kennedy Center

Started off the day doing GySgt Claudine's much sought after and killer boot camp ride (the ride's fine, it's the boot camp that kicks my butt). After a nice relaxing lunch at Best Buns, it was off on ride number 2, Sam and Dana's Kennedy Center loop. Had a lovely "ride after the ride" at Guapo's and finished up by adding some extra miles to bring the day's total up to 51. Still need some more tomorrow but a good day today.

NOVA-CBG Two Rides: Boot Camp & Kennedy Center by kwarkentien at Garmin Connect - Details