Massive PR

Instead of being dropped, tonight I spit out others behind me for the first time ever on the Paper Clip ride. 22 miles covered at an average speed of 21.5mph, a full 1 mph or 5% faster than my previous best time set just 16 days ago. Max speed on this flat ride was 30.3mph. Wow.

Was I so strong today because of

a) Carb loading of 46oz of Stone IPA and a pepperoni/sausage pizza
b) Altitude training elevating EPO levels and higher red blood cell mass.
c) A spurt of improvement as my body continues to adapt to cycle training.
d) The best weather for a ride that I have ever had in Houston.
e) All of the above.

I vote for (e). I honestly believe that training at altitude benefits my performance in Houston. My 5k PR was set 7 days after returning from a Colorado vacation. Of course it all could be a coincidence. Then again, the weather was great for all the cyclists today and I dropped people that have consistently dropped me over the past months. So it doesn't seem to be weather alone, unless I am especially sensitive to the heat and humidity of Houston. Of course JD would vote for (a), but I don't think so (even though Stone IPA could be the finest libation ever brewed).

Nope, I got me some extra red blood cell mass at the moment. Wanna race?

A Colorado ride picture with Longs Peak in the far background