ericcox

So I haven't been able to do much riding outside of my commute this year due to work & family. All spring I wanted to start regularly attending the Tuesday night hammerfest or Wednesday night training races, but the aforementioned committments made it impossible. I figured there was no way I would make it today as both boys are ill.

Imagine my surprise then when my wife says, "why don't you hit that Tuesday night YMCA ride tonight."

Then I violated one of the cardinal sins -- I had the start time wrong. So I show up 10 minutes early (really 20 minutes late), but thankfully see someone else there. We take off on the loop in reverse to meet up with the group. We caught them just past the halfway point. I was already hurting, then we joined the double-pace line (my first in quite some time) at a high rate of speed. I don't think I screwed up too bad as no one yelled at me or pulled me out of line.

The thing started breaking up with about 10 miles to go. I was not in the front group the whole time, but neither was I last. It hurt so good. As I turned to go home, a few guys did encourage me to come back Thursday or next Tuesday, so I guess I was not too dangerous.

Good times, now I'm going to have a brownie and a beer.

schnabler1

Brownies do not mix with beer. Have either brownies and White Russians or Beer and chips.

ericcox

Good point, but while that depends on the beer, it will be a brownie with the kids followed later by the beer.

schnabler1

Nice job on your worlds ride.

maalea

brownies do, in fact, go with beer. Every dark beer will have some Chocolate malt in it. Chocolate and beer is a very good mix.

ericcox

^^^I actually like a good pale ale or a stout with chocolate. Especially a good stout.

The brownies were excellent this evening, by the way.

Psimet2001 

I feel you. Just got back from our Tuesday, "Are you talking to me??!!" hammerfest. I backed of early on to hang with a friend who was riding it for the first time, but even then we never really let up.

Joined back on for the real slug fest back to the start. At one point I crested a roller at 28mph (BTW - I don't DO climbing) and saw the rider in front of me still open a gap. Dug deep and held the wheel, but literally saw polka dots/stars.

The next section was insane. 30+ basically flat. neitsmas took a pull, came off the front and literally streaked past as he blew up. It was like the 4th of July came early.

I got back to the car and my hands were shaking - sugar crash/bonk.

I f'n loved it! That's why I keep coming back.

ericcox

Trying to explain to my wife why I was so happy as my face was bright red, I was out of water, and I had a minor calf cramp that slowed me down at the end, was a bit difficult. But man it felt good to mix it up again.

The only thing I felt bad about is the guy who led me to the group ended up in a group behind me at the end.

veggiemafia

Brownie, topped with vanilla ice cream, topped with a sauce made of fresh (or frozen) raspberries and Rogue Chocolate Stout.

BAM MOTHER****ER!

EventServices

The best part is to ride back over the route and see hills that you didn't even notice when you were in the group.
"We rolled over that at 28mph???"