But on about the 25th lap, I’m leading a small group of about 4 riders going into the last turn pushing 22 mph. All of a sudden one of the guys behind me shouts to me to watch out. At first, I thought the lead group of racers was coming up on the inside at the turn. So I move out a little bit going into the turn. The next thing I know there is the hood of a car right next to my front wheel (maybe a foot or two away from me)… car tire screech (her), bike rider cussing her out (me), near mahem (all of us). This BIMBO driver was actually trying to pass us up on the right side going into the turn. What a F***ING idiot! There are 50 bikes riding around this business park at race speeds (as they do EVERY Thursday night). How can you be so clueless to not see cyclists racing? And how is it I can nearly get nailed by a car during a bike race?

Good thing there were no small children around to hear my colorful language… although, any kid within a half-mile radius probably could have heard me!

Now it’s time to wind down the hard-core riding to prepare for the Cool Breeze Century next Saturday.

2009 Events

Cool Breeze Century:
Last year I did the Cool Breeze Metric Century with Jiffy Jeff, Tracey and Dan.
Total Mileage: 65.50 (Dan and I had to add a few miles up the bike path to get us over a full metric)
Total ride time: 3:39:45
Average speed:  17.88 MPH
Calories Burned: 3002
Morning weight: 163 lbs

dhp 5K Thanksgiving Day Race:
In 2009, I decided to start running (moving toward triathlons) with the dhp Thanksgiving 5K race.
Total time: 23:43
Average pace: 7:39 per mile
Calories burned: 239
Morning weight:  159 lbs

2010 Plans

March 20, 2010
Pasadena Triathlon
Short reverse triathlon around the Rose Bowl
5k Run
15k ride
150m pool swim.
Tracey Locher is already signed up with me. Should be a lot of fun.
Here is the route.

May 23, 2010
Camarillo Duathlon
Not sure about this one. They cancelled them late last year, but I may go for the sprint distance. Registration is cheap and its practically right out my front door.
There is also an August 1st race and September 5th race which might fit into the schedule.

June 27, 2010
Breath of Life Ventura Triathlon – AKA Dina Triathlon
400m ocean swim
20.4k bike
5k run
Not sure if I will do this one. If I do, it will be the sprint distance only.

July 18, 2010
Strawberry Fields Triathlon, Oxnard
1/4m swim (400m)
11.5m bike (18.5k)
3m run (<5k)
Looking to do the sprint distance race. My first ocean swim race!

August 21, 2010
Cool Breeze Century, Ventura
Our annual race for the popsicles!
A great ride with great friends!

September 27, 2010
Carpenteria Triathlon
500m swim
15k bike
5k run
Not sure if I will do this one. Most likely, I will.

November 25, 2010
dhp Thanksgiving Day 5k/10k
Gotta do it again to try to better my 2009 time and placement.

December 12, 2010
Santa to the Sea Half Marathon
REALLY not sure about this one. Depends on how my knees, IT Band, etc. are doing. Although it might be a good finish to the year.

I guess next year I need to get down to about a 7:20 to 7:30 pace. That would get me down below 23 minutes.

Looking to a couple triathlons in the spring and summer!