The last long ride. 6 is so much better than 7!

BIKE 6 hrs and about 10 minutes, 102 miles. Ave 16.6 mph.

TH, G,  and I were out for out last long ride. LC and IT joined for a shorter loop. We took a new route south of out Columbia to Maeystown. Some roads familiar and some new. The route started on hills, switched to a 'dirt road', then to a nice 'big ringable' highway, and then back on the flats. Each loop was 51 miles.

The first loop went great, and we ran into TT and JZ on the way back. They stayed separate from us for now, but we met up again later. Fought some headwind on the flats, then back home in about 3:04. We didn't talk much at all, everyone was quiet and tired and intimidated by the 7 hrs a little bit. As in, do we really need this?

I had doubts on whether I should do the second loop, in part or in full. When I woke up this morning, I was already at 9.5 hours of training, the weekly goal was 15.5. We'd already decided on 2 loops over 7 hours, so 9.5 + 6 =15.5! And I had an OWS and run tomorrow yet! When we set out, it was me, TH, and TT in a group and I figured I'd ride to the two split points and decide if I would keep going or turn short.

My goals for the ride were to nail nutrition, not hurt my feet, and stay steady without fading. So as we set off into the next loop, I kept drilling those reminders. My butt was hurting, normally doesn't do that but it seemed like a seam in the shorts. Or maybe the lack of pain elsewhere to distract me? I was fueling every 30 mins and this was perfect. I kept my feet good by not mashing the hills and picking a lighter gear. TH was spinning at a higher cadence and seeing her reminded me to keep doing that. BTW - her cycling has improved awesomely! :) I'm happy for her!!

We passed one turn off point, didn't want to cut short. Passed the 2nd turn off point, and cutting short barely crossed my mind. I decided that while I didn't need the time in the saddle, I needed the confidence build of a solid long ride with accomplished goals. At 80 miles, while waiting for riders to catch up, I noted that I was feeling pretty damned good for being 80 miles in. Yay!

As TH and I came into the parking lot at 102 miles, we noted that we were on track for nailing the 2nd loop in steady time. TH had some extra miles from going back to look for TT and NK, so she got her bonus miles.

I didn't do the brick run, I figured I was feeling good and why ruin it :) Besides, I had a long day tomorrow too. This was my strongest long ride yet this year, I only wish the average speed was faster.