Hit the Rockwall cycling store ride tonight -- the 5:30 start didn't get communicated too well, so we didn't roll until about 5:50, with only 5 of us (at least two others came out for the old 6:30 time, and just got 15 miles or so in).
 
So, Joey led the 5 of us out, and after about 4- 5 miles of warmup, we cranked it up to 25.  He slacked off for a couple miles after the hilly section on McDonald, then cranked it back up again, running at 22-23 in to the wind all the way to the Blackland turnaround.  I took a pull for a few miles, but basically stayed out of the way into the wind (but was complimented on the pull).
 
Once we reached the turnaround point, we had a bit of a tailwind, and the lead rider was doing 22-24 again.  After a couple miles of upslope at this pace, the road flattened out, and just for the hell of it, I cranked it up to 28-30 for about 5 miles -- which essentially blew the ride apart...      Joey and another rider stayed up with me, and the other two dropped off.  I planned to stop and regroup where 205 crossed, but the other two didn't pause (much)...  and since I wasn't that familiar with the last couple miles of the route back, I caught back up and basically hung with Joey the rest of the way at 25+, back through the hills and the climb up McDonald.  Joey turned off for home, and another rider and I were the first ones back --  -- I walked inside, and said, "First one back wins, right?"    --  which seemed to take Jason (owner) by surprise    
 
I consider it a greatly successful "tuneup" ride for next week's TTTT.  I didn't have to really knock myself out to hang on with the group, although it was a strong workout.   At the 28 mile point, I had a 23 mph average, despite the hills...  finished with 33.5 miles at 20.  The XStream continues to be an excellent fast ride, and a very good climbing machine.  It was fun hanging with Joey and the boyz...  Granted, I have no illusions that Joey couldn't have dropped my butt anytime he wanted to, if he was so inclined!!!!