I moved back to Strava and found a local group of riders. Sunday the. 3rd I got in my first group ride in years. Super fun.
I rested Monday then Tuesday rode solo up to Santa Margarita and back, more climbing, distance and average speed than I managed on the group ride. I’m feeling good about that. I think it will be a month of hard efforts separated by a rest day before I can get into riding back-to-back hard riding days.
What I’ve discovered from being off Strava and returning has been highlighting how group motivation to not only get out and ride, but ride well. Control, speed, effort and form. One thing I will avoid is being sucked into riding only flats or only hills. I need both. The Sunday group ride was basically an out and back route so we had the wind at our backs on the way out, making hero speed. The return leg was constant work into that strong wind. Well, strong wind for us, Strava says 5.5 kph. Tuesday’s ride was slightly bigger wind to fight at 5.7 kph, but the opposite direction. Headwind on my way home.
Right now the distance for the Santa Margarita route is about my limit if I’m pushing hard. That ride is just under 86km. My next step is extending that ride to a loop to Florence Joyner Park, that should get me about 100km. Eventually I’ll add the Olympic road course to the loop. Then after I can pull that off a few times, I can work my 100 mile unsupported century ride.
My weight has blossomed from where it was to more than where I want by too much. I expect that once I get into regular riding and harder efforts the weight will begin to head back in the proper direction. At any rate, a good start to the month.
Motivation of Strava and a local-sit group to ride with have set me on a path to riding every day. I’m not fast, but I’m doing OK for me. Weight is headed in the right direction after topping 80kg. My plan is to just ride every day. If I feel dead, I’ll ride shorter routes and if I’m feeling strong and have the time, I’ll ride longer. My usual route for short was just out to the park at Ortega and Antonio and back. A longer route up to Ranch Santa Margarita and back worked a few times. I have a set Gran Fondo route that uses the RSM route, but adds a short loop around Olympiad and the Florence Joyner park. Gives me a good near half way point to eat a bigger mid-ride snack, rest and get water. Strava allows me better watch on my metrics as far as. distance, time and elevation. I’m not real concerned with speed or power or any of that at this point.
I managed by far my biggest month of cycling this year. Piling on more than a third of the year’s total in just this one month only riding 19 out of the 30 days. The. challenge now of course is continuing this for the next thee months to end the year strong. Strava says my fitness level is nearly back to early 2021. I have a long way to go yet. Here’s to more in October.
Totals for the month:
Distance: 1,317km
Climbing: 11,473m
Time: 57 hours
Along The Way 