Two groups start their rides at the State of Oregon Red Parking Lot – The Salem Bicycle Club and Capital Velo, the local racing team. I ride with both, but not with Capital Velo for a while. Today however, was my chance.

When I rode into the lot, I saw Jen Akeroyd with the Capital Velo group. I have not seen her since she became pregnant. Today, she was riding for the first time since having a beautiful baby girl – Olivia. Thinking that the pace of their ride would be slow enough for me to hang on, I decided to ride with them today. They did ride slower than usual, but it was hand for me to hand on.

We headed out south to ride the OBRA Championship Course, the only road race I have ever entered. Riding into the wind was tough, but Kurt was up to pulling the rest of us. He is looking really good this off season! Jen rode with us a short while and then decided she had enough and turned back. Mark, TJ and I followed Kurt out to the first tough hill of the route – Wiltsey St SE. I have ridden this before and it is one steep hill. But I took it at my own pace and did not dig too deep. I was the third one over the top. The rest of the day was rollers. I tried to stay within my training goals, but I did let the heart rate climb up too high every now and then. The last big hill of the day was Oak/Liberty and I was the last one to the top. I kept my pace withing training goals, but pushed it for the last 100 feet to the summit receiving a “nicely done” from Kurt who came back to shepherd me to the top.