My first group ride

Bike the Bay 2009

I just did my first group ride. Bike the Bay in San Diego is a big annual event for all type of riders. It's unique in that the 25 mile course takes you from downtown San Diego, over the Coronado Bay Bridge, down the Silver Strand in to Imperial Beach and back up the East Bay along all the shipyards and navy facilities. I bought my wife a road bike for her birthday a few weeks ago, and she joined me on the ride.

Coronado Bay Bridge

The party atmosphere was great. There were all kinds of riders; some in costume, some serious looking types, many families. Going over the Coronado Bridge was a treat. It's a privilege that we seldom get here in San Diego. It was also the toughest part of the ride, climbing up in to the crest of the bridge. The rest of the course was flat and fast. Riding along the Silver Strand where the US Navy Seals train, I thought of how fit those guys are. Ah, to be young again.

Rocinante and Diane's new bike

At the end of the ride, we got food (yay!) and the bands started playing. They were handing out raffle prizes too. Didn't win.

Near the finish

I learned a few things about group rides. There are serious ones and there are fun ones. This one was a fun one. The pace is generally slower and it's really more of a social event on a bike. People are friendly 'cause most everyone is having fun. But by the time I got to the finish line, I was wondering if the fun ride was really my cup of tea. Don't get me wrong... I did enjoy it, and a lot of people really like them, but I started to get a bit bored at the end. I guess I'll have to see how I'm riding next year before I decide if I wanna do it again.

I'm down to about 245 pounds.