Ride a little, do a little trail maintenance

Tuesday night's ride was uneventful except for the fact our entire group dropped a rider early and no-one seemed to see that she was no longer with the pack ~ myself included. Two of us turned back a few miles later when we realized she had been dropped, but by then she'd already taken a different route solo. I'm planning to make a concerted effort to keep our packs either together in respect to paces being set or ensure that no-one is dropped or riding alone even if it means giving up my own training ride.

Everyone seems to be in survival mode this year rather than looking out for one another, and I have to accept partial responsibility for that mode of cycling. I've been going 70-85% since March due to my knee problems. They have, however, caught up speed wise due no doubt to each one's natural progression and my inability to ride at a higher training level to keep the fitness level I gained over the winter. Since my surgery to fix the knee, I have been relatively pain free except for some moderate stiffness and soreness after riding. That should go away by November when I'll really pick up the effort. Until then, it is just ride and enjoy myself at the upcoming races at Santos and Dauset, and perhaps do 3-GAP this year again if I'm able. I can do it, but it won't be any fun this year since I'll struggle up the easiest climbs and possibly bonk on the harder switchbacks of Wolf Pen.

Yesterday was the monthly OMBA meeting at Thomson after the ride. I chose to do some trail maintenance instead of riding since the trail has gotten very sandy in spots and only a few of us have done anything to maintain riding conditions over the past few months. Dan's Bastard and the loop past the Spider Web is now clean in the turns, and I hope to get a ride in before the next storms change that.



The "SS" Pyramid building crew:



My "diet" is not going so well this year and not even relevant the last few weeks. Beer, salsa and chips, pizza, and Mexican dishes have been the daily regimen instead of the strict cereal, boneless/skinless chicken breast, yogurt, fruit for supper, and water to drink daily ritual. Instead of burning 3K-5K calories on the weekend rides, I'm consuming that much each day it seems. My weight is now up to 183 and fluctuating according to how much beer I consume and exercise I do. My plan is to ride fairly hard tonight and keep up with the Wolfpack, rest tomorrow, and then do the Rolling to Roberta ride Saturday morning. Sunday is the Pigtrail race that I'm only course marshalling and not riding, so no riding then either. I have to ride 6 days a week from now until Santos or I'll suffer like last year again and take 3 weeks to recover.