New Chicks that Ride.

Tonight, after we admired Cyndi's new gear, we decided to explored some new territory and two new chicks joined us - Julie and Jennifer.  These ladies have been riding on Saturday's with the OCW women's training group and were ready to go.  Jennifer rode from her house to meet us (racing by not one, but two trains) and Julie showed up in a beautiful Japanese print jersey.

We took Peter's Canyon north heading East on Hicks Canyon and everyone pushed through the 1, 2 and 3% (deceivingly flat looking) steady climb as we made our way through the houses to Portola.  Cyndi and our token "wrench", Steve then led the group on the climb up Portola with Cyndi taking an 8th on the Strava leader board. That Giro gear must make her faster.  I wonder if we all can get a Chicks discount?

Sandy who has only just started cycling in the last couple of months and Becky who has missed her ride training for the last couple of weeks were able to maintain a great pace and were never far behind.

We made a big circle down Portola Springs to Modjeska and then back along Irvine Boulevard, where we headed South through the Jeffery Open Space trail.   Steve and I talked about how even 5 years ago many of these roads and certainly the trail weren't even there and definitely not paved.   There was minimal traffic and some pretty rolling hills.  The trail wound it's way through a nice green welcoming park.   Then we completed our look west on Trabucco and joining up Yale down to catch the Walnut trail back to Harvard.

We ended up with a quick 19 mile ride with some steady (but doable) climbing and made some new friends.