Great ride yesterday. There were a few good hills to test the legs too. We headed out to the Metchosin area through Esquimalt Lagoon. The hill out of the lagoon was the big test for me. I started off too strong on the hill, forgetting how long it was. By the top my heart rate had spiked and my vision was starting to narrow. Yikes. Thankfully I made it to the top.

The only mistake I made on the ride was not starting to eat soon enough. I realized 1:20 into the ride I hadn’t eaten a thing. I choked by a gel to get some quick calories into me, then started in on a Cliff bar. That did the trick and I got myself back on my nutritional track, and didn’t bonk.

I even managed to lead the three of us for a while. That felt good to do my part in the ride. I’m still learning the rules to riding in a group, and now that my fitness is picking up, I can start doing my duty at the front.

View Tour de Victoria, March 26, 2011 in a larger map

Total Distance: 73.69 km (45.8 mi)
Total Time: 3:26:50
Moving Time: 3:06:24
Average Speed: 21.38 km/h (13.3 mi/h)
Average Moving Speed: 23.72 km/h (14.7 mi/h)
Max Speed: 55.92 km/h (34.7 mi/h)
Min Elevation: -20 m (-66 ft)
Max Elevation: 63 m (208 ft)
Elevation Gain: 673 m (2208 ft)
Max Grade: 14 %
Min Grade: -9 %

So, the stats above don’t lie. 73+ KMs averaging over 23 KM/H. Pretty happy with that.