Celebrated Labor Day by riding in a 106 mile organized ride with only 4400 ft of climbing. We averaged 24 mph for the first 55 miles-but the pace seemed easier than that-at least while I was actually in the group.

However I got dropped from a group of about 30-40 at 30 miles and surprised myself by bridging back up. There was a group of about 8 that gone out front and were a steady couple hundred yards ahead of our larger group. We just didn't seem to be able to close the gap. We hit a pretty fast stretch and somehow I wound up out front and did a humongous pull to cut into the gap-and pushed the pace up so high I could not get back myself on other wheels. I dropped off and figured I'd just wait on the next riders and did not expect to see the larger group again. After a few miles they were completely out of sight. A couple other riders came up after a couple more miles and we worked really hard and I was able to launch them back up to the group.......only to leave myself about 100 yards short with no help. Somehow I eventually got myself back on the larger group with another large effort.

That was probably the furtherest back from the lead group I've been where I was able to bridge back up. It had to be the bike.......