Back in SD

Back in San Diego. Day seven. Has it really been a week already? It was 950 nautical miles down and the same to return. Stops in three beautiful ports, two epic rides and yesterday was our Computrainer TT finale. The official wrap.

Everyone was going for it, we knew well our initial times from last week, as well as the much ballyhooed 18% average gains posted by the intrepid Alaska crew. To be fair, the AK TT was twice the distance, twenty miles, and conducted under less than perfect conditions. Shall we simply say that the boat was a rocking and leave it at that? It was also a vastly different level of rider between the two, obviously resulting in a sliding scale of end results, and hence, potential for improvement.

Final results:

Suz: 30:01>29:54 -7 seconds
John: 39:47>38:07 -1:40
Kristi: 39:45<39:53 +8
Dave: 33:22>33:07 -15 seconds
Travis: 30:20>30:06 -14 seconds
RCVman: 31:53>31:14 -39 seconds

And excellent performance by the entire group, with five of six gaining speed (and power) over the week of training and riding. As RD I can attest to the output of the group. There was effort. There was sweat, and there was pain. There was no sandbagging and there was no coasting. It was a rare display of that fabulous synergy of work and play. I think we learned a lot about ourselves, about others and about our respective potentials. As I mentioned to Dave last night, we saw some special efforts and there is talent here. Now that we know that, let's see where we can go with it.

Awards:

Overall Champion: Suz
Biggest Loser (time): John
Best Climber: Travis
Best Young Rider: Kristi
Most Aggressive: Dave
Best Coach/Team Manager: Erick
Best Support Crew: Samara

It is before 0600 in the San Diego Harbor. We're back. The fog horn is sounding from the bridge of the ms Oosterdam. The sun has yet to light the eastern sky. Looks like we might be delayed in docking.

Maybe I should unpack the CompuTrainer, reassemble a bike, and try that unrelenting ten miler again.

Next CompuTrainer Holland America Cruise: Alaska II in May 2011. Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan. Hope to see you there.

RCVman from the final day aboard the ms Oosterdam (waiting for fog to lift), out.

Pix: At last nights award banquet we all agreed that the PV ride was tops. Left to right, Suz, Dave, Travis, John. Kristi and our guide Alejandro on the trail of adventure in Puerto Vallarta.