Today is stage 1 (criterium) of the Tour de Murrieta. Last year, I rode the TdM and won the 35+/45+ Cat 1-3 criterium, including current national and state champs, and former pros (Rahsaan Bahati). I won out of a break of three that I started. Really stoked on that.
Each year, I swap between doing this and a local (SDMBA/IMBA) mountain biking event called the "Archipelago Ride", titled such as it connects different open space trail networks, with some county and private use trails that are otherwise off limits. Usually around 40 mi and 4,000' elevation, without much road. Great event, tons of fun. There is a 1 hour start window and I usually start towards the middle or end, and don a Hawaiian shirt over my kit.
This year, I skipped so I could do the Arch ride. Only things is, they Arch ride has been postponed due to the rainy weather and soggy trails
. I made some plans in the early afternoon instead to play with my jazz group at some baby shower, so now I am missing out on the TdM.