150 miles of weekend riding, spanning northeast Scottsdale to Tempe to the northwest valley. Another 3,200 feet of climbing. (My weekends seem persistent in that regard.)
Though I haven’t reached a return to century riding yet, I did manage 80 miles on Saturday (a typical-for-me Hills of Via Linda ride with the Los Freeloaders, plus a journey down to ASU), and then 70 miles on Sunday, for my highest mileage weekend in quite some time.
The Grand Circle route
The loop to the northwest valley was on the Sunday Moon Valley ride – their “Grand Circle” route. It was a challenging day, as the group frequently kicked to a pace just beyond my comfort zone. This was especially true near the end of the ride. I just don’t have the endurance yet, though at least my shoulder did not give me fits on these long distances as it did last weekend.
Wherefore art thou, strength and speed?
Though satisfied that all these miles aren’t affecting my shoulder too much, I’m still often off the back, which has me a bit worried.
Even so, my speed is getter better, as I’m into the 16 mph average territory more often these days, as compared to the piddly 13-15 mph affairs of just a few weeks ago.