Fifty Plus (50+) - Pee Wees Big Adventure

So today I really did set off to ride out to the West Hill Dam area. It's only ended up being 22 miles but it was the hardest 22 I've ever done. Hill after hill after hill. I just started riding in March and had to take 5 weeks off due to family medical issues so I think this was a pretty good accomplishment for me. I was so burned out at the end I could only manage 5mph on the hill back up to my house. Here are some pics:

The first is the beginning of the "hill from hell". It's only 2 miles into the ride and climbs for 2 miles. according to my GPS its' average grade is 22% with one portion at 31%. I needed 2 rest stops to make it.

The next two are as I had just finshed a long uphill grade and was looking ahead to the downhill coming up.

Hey, how come hills don't show in photos?

The next are down deep in the Upton State Forest.

The last was when the bike decided it needed a rest. OK, I lied, I needed the rest. You'll notice the tree cover was so dense the flash went off, kinda cool effect.

The last was when the bike decided it needed a rest.

:lol: I'll have to remember that one! Nice pictures. Try getting your camera at ground level to show a better perspective on the hills. Some rides are just killers, but you made it back, and that's what counts.

The only way to get hills to show in a camera shot is to take them from sideways on- Only a 20 mile diversion- probably offroad and it still will not show how steep the damn things are. Don't worry- I'm not going up a 31% to prove that you are wrong- I'll take your word for it.

Had a mate once that decided that I ought to climb the highest, steepest hill on the South Downs. Now I know he was slower than me so I did not worry when I lost the sound of him breathing but that hill was steep- This was a 1 mile 20 to 25% offroad. Not technical but it took all me energy to climb it- Got to the top and I knew that I had just climbed the hardest hill I had ever done- only to see my (ex) mate still at the bottom. Did the downhill and he explained- He has already done it and he was not going to do it again.

Wow.........I've ridden a lot of hills and some with grades of 20% but nothing that averaged 20% over 2 miles. And a max of 31%???? Oh my goodness.......

If it's true, that's about the steepest road I've heard of.

Great pics, quite a serious climb. I'm amazed at how often those darn bikes need a rest, especially on hot days and hilly rides.

I love the pictures.

Congratulations
on having what
sounds like a
great personal adventure.

I enjoy bike riding because
at no time during my life
do I have any 'bad' associations
with riding bikes. Bicyles represent
joy and freedom to me.

Again, congratulations!

Tim,

You did a great job! Don't worry about the bike rest opportunities, BROs, you don't want to over heat a bearing or two! Just go and do it again, and again, and pretty soon you will say "What hills!?!" And there will be fewer and fewer BROs to conflict you! Take care and have a great summer of riding, neighbor.

Thanks for the encouragement guys, that is one tough hill.

PB is used to those kind of hills up there in Cowhampshire, thats all they have.

Have a great summer of riding, it will end all too soon...