Another delightful group ride led by Gruppo Sportivo for Gran Fondo New York aspirants! (Actually, many had done it before, even a number of my fellow C group riders.) Chilly, overcast, and some damp roads, but a very warm and friendly group of people!

Again, we weren't supposed to pass the leader, and again, I worked on my paceline technique, but again I took the opportunity to charge up the biggest hill, from the back, past everyone, and past the guys that tried to pass our group - dropped the hammer on the lot of them!

Toward the top, I thought I slowed down too soon. Maybe I did, but once I got home and checked the Strava, I was thrilled to discover I'd not only gotten a PR, but I'd actually gotten the best time of the day so far (of 66 fellow recorders - also 2nd/316 for the month), and best of all, bested that SOB Cat 4 who's still hanging out in the "Cat 5 Crew" making us all look bad It's silly in a way, I know, but I was warmed up. I ordinarily get dropped from the faster training rides, and though I've raced a bit, I've never yet even finished with the field. But this,... This was something I knew I was pretty good at. So I did it. I had to.

But back to the friendly folks: although we left at different times, another rider from the group (but whom I hadn't actually met) caught up to me on the way home. Turns out we were both going all the way back downtown (about 10 miles), and we are both architects! I'd been dreading the ride home, not because it's especially tiring, but just because it can be so boring and seemingly interminable. So it was great having someone to chat with, and fortunately the somewhat gloomy weather kept the way from being too busy or crowded.