Setting Personal Records

Four days of rest off the bike seems like an eternity. Even so I contemplated just one more day off, but I drew the line. Work has been in full swing. And I need an outlet. Today's ride with Ken was the perfect medicine.

We got a later than usual start from Peets in Corte Madera, rolling out by 6:30am. This was mentally positive for the majority of the ride would be with natural sunlight. To make things even better, we immediately got the "helping hand" as I like to call it. A wonderful tailwind pushed us along the Mill Valley bike path as we effortlessly cruised at 20mph while holding a conversation. 

At the Golden Gate Bridge Ken sent his son a photo of the morning (why didn't I think of that?). We then proceeded across the Golden Gate Bridge where Ken have me a pep talk for the new PRs that were sure to be taken at Crissy field. However the bay was calm, not a white cap to be seen. But the tailwind just had to be waiting for us. Even my spidey sense was warning me to get ready for it.

But, I've been burned here before. All my best PRs on this stretch of land by the water have come on tailwind days. Meaning that all my other riding buddies also get to experience it. So usually I get a new PR only to find out I've fallen short due the other zillion PRs created that same day. 

But not today. I took the turn that marks the beginning and gradually ramped up my speed. Feeling comfortable in my drops I quickly changed to may largest ring but kept my effort at 80% to save my energy for the last half. And that's when it got crazy, at the halfway mark. This sprint is something like 2 miles - and ramping up like an airliner once I get moving I'm ready for speed and fully committed. What I wasn't ready for was the turbulent like violent reactions my bike had to any unevenness in the bike path. Every driveway with a dip found my backpack doing its best to hit me upside the head and unbalance me. My seat also struggled in its attempts to knock me off the bike straight up. Did I mention my vision was also impaired as I rode straight into the sun while wearing my clear sunglasses?

The entire way I thought I heard a cyclist on my tail so I dug deep and figured they would have to work to pass me. No one ever did, in fact after I realized my lungs were simply burning up, I had dropped Ken and the other cyclist that was with us. 

100 yards later after the segment's end, I was still recovering but eagerly anticipating the results. Turns out I bested my prior PR earlier this year by 9 seconds. That brought me from 9th place to 2nd place for those friends of mine that I follow on Strava. And the best part, no one got the best of me today. Then again there is always tomorrow and I'm sure they will gun for my time. But today is my hole in one day. The type of perfect riding day that keeps you coming back for more. 

Ferry home anyone? No way no how. For today, these legs are meant for cycling.