Sunday May 31st, 2009

"Oh shit", Oh F*ck", "I can do it", and "Nope, gotta stop" were all statements that went through my head or verbally came out of my mouth on today's ride! Nanci and I met up with the Team Evergreen riding group for a mountain ride today. Oh boy! The morning started out with what looked like a bikers convention. We met at the Bergen Park-n-ride... us and like 50-60 other bikers. They weren't all heading out with our group but apparently this is the place to meet if you are going to be riding in Evergreen. After figuring out which group was ours, we headed out on our way. After two mishaps on directions, Nanci and I started climbing. I pulled ahead from Nanci a bit as she is recovering from knee surgery (and doing quite well, I might add). The first climb up Blue Creek Rd was a long and steady one. After talking to some others at the top of the climb, we found out that the last part of it is about an 11% grade! Whew!

The next bit was some rolling hills with some fun downhills. Next were some really really fun downhills. Two things with this though: 1) managing your speed and placement on the road at 30+ mph isn't so easy on switchback mountain roads 2) it is a little unnerving riding down at that speed when there is absolutely no shoulder and there are plenty of cars!

Unfortunately, however, when you're biking... what goes down, usually must come up. And here is where the fun began...

High Drive is named so for a reason... it climbs... very quickly! OUCH! I had a little bit of an ego kill here... well, actually a lot of an ego kill! However, I still give myself a fair amount of credit for doing it and making it... slowly... and stopping a handful of times, but I made it! I was thoroughly spent after it though. But the downhills on the other side of this one were even better than the first downhills. I was cruising pretty damn quick and it was quite the rush (insert expletives now)!!

Unfortunately our ride ended in rain. But, it was the playing softball immediately after that really put my sore legs over the top!

Overall it was a great ride and a great training ride for our Aug 1st goal! I am impressed with myself that I did the whole ride, even though I had to stop a few times. For a first time mountain road ride, I can't complain!

Ride Stats:

Distance: 35 miles

Elevation gain: 3,400ft

Time: 4 hours

Challenge: High Drive, keeping a steady pace on the hills, breathing, and shifting smoothly to keep the cadence regular

Goal: Keep working on long distance climbs.

Next weekend we are doing Lookout Mountain. After today's ride, it is supposed to seem easy... I hope!

Map & Elevation chart (taken from the handout we were given - click to enlarge):