My First Sunday Worlds

I Attended Worlds for the first time yesterday.

The plan was if I didn't go down to San Marcus to race that I would ride Worlds. For those who don't know its approximately a 34 mile loop that starts at the East Beach bath house and then continues to the polo fields; from there to the 192; from there to goober canyon; then down and under the freeway; up that one hill and back a similar way. The first couple of miles was at warm up pace; nice and easy and the polo fields came and BAM! Once the riders got onto the 192 The pace increased quickly. I had trouble taking some of those turns at pace the group was riding. But managed to pull it off. Its either turn and hold your line or take everybody out. Faced with those options the fear really isn't a deterrent. However one rider did tell me to watch my brakes in the turns. All I could muster for a response was... OK.
I managed to stay with the group until goober canyon and that left turn made my heart lighten. I love to climb, even the small hills. So I managed to hang with a breakaway that formed at the top of Goober and then felt pretty good with how I did on the last hill by the freeway.
The short time I was in that break away pace line, however, I was pretty uncomfortable. The only real etiquette I know is what Ive learned from the Saturday Echelon ride and what I've read in books. I have trouble figuring out if the rider in the front is pulling off and wants me to pull through or if he is merley wondering. I wasn't sure if i was jumping too quick on my pulls or if I was pulling too short or too long. I had no clue how fast I was going because I don't have a speedometer so the only really way I have to judge anything is by how Im breathing, and how my legs feel. I felt a little scared and was happy when that last hill came because I could scurry up it and not have to worry about my pace or speed or line or poor cornering ability.
The way back the pace was even faster... or maybe it just felt that way. I had a hard time hanging in with the surges and kinda slipped back through the pack looking for Steve. I found him and we decided we were going to peel off, climb Torro Canyon and then explore a road that we have never been on up that way and see where it would take us.
Steve had barely mentioned that he wasn't going to be able to handle the surges when I looked back and he was off the back... Thank god I thought, as I eased up to wait for him. We climbed Torro and instead of the lavish exploration we ended up at Pier la fond bakery for a nice hour break. After that I headed out to goleta then back around hope ranch and home.
All in all it was a fun exiting day of riding.
I realized I have a long way to go as far as cornering and handling and technical skills are concerned. However that being said, I was also pretty proud I didnt get droped till the back.

If anyone has any pointers on group riding or paceline skills or wants to get out there and practice let me know. Im there.


Today is a day dedicated to eating, drinking, resting, stretching, more eating, and my first day at a new job.

Happy riding