Tuesday night group ride. The BCC ones are done for the year apparently, but tonight's group was at least 26 riders. I had done a quick 21kms before heading to the meeting point, so i was warmed up, but feeling tired already.

We set out at 6 into darkening skies, hoping to stay dry. We decided to head east to the water and then south for a while. A route I've done many times, and quite enjoy. I sat on the back of the group and just chilled tonight, no real energy for any horseplay, and there wasn't much going on.

Had my first ever group riding incident, when i wasn't paying attention and rode into Shawn's rear wheel. Off I went into the ditch for an apparently spectacular crash. For me it wasn't even a crash, i rode off, and dismounted the bike to avoind injury. I bounced back up, found my bottles and glasses and was laughing along with the guys who were lucky, unlucky? enough to be behind me when it happened. Watson had my bike up, and other than some grass in the spokes and chain, it was in no worse shape than when the ride began. oooops!

We kept rolling and everyone had several chuckles at my expense, if i was younger I'd likely be upset at them, but all i can do is laugh, and be thankful i was able to get out of the way and not take anyone else down. The irony of it all, was that i was describing how one of the guys on the Sunday Century ride crashed as I did basically the same thing.

Anyway, at the end of the ride I had some energy for a big pull and a sprint attempt for the final lights. Shawn got me, and i couldn't stay on his wheel, had to settle for second. Not surprising since he just came back from riding Alpe D'huez and Lausanne the bugger!

I am going to taper for the rest of the week, other than to put in a metric on Thursday when i go to pre-ride the course for Sunday's final Interclub race.