So, I take it you seldom use your jet tub, given your many leisurely rides. :rolleyes: :p ;)

No often but this was my group's first climb of the year and it was rather tasking. We climbed almost continual up for 16 miles. Hardly any flats or breaks for downhills. Usually most hill rides have some flats and such but from I-26 to Mt. Pisgah it is roughly a 14 out of 16 mile climb.:eek:

My legs today are slightly sore but not too bad. My group was cussing me halfway up for suggesting such a ride this early. Usually we do a few metrics with combo terrain before we take on a constant climb. I just felt froggy and wanted to spicen up the ride!:D

I hear froggy legs taste like chicken. Wonder if my chicken legs taste like frog? <curious Vega look>

You have some brass orbs, my friend. :D

When you gonna come ride in flatlander country?

Just say when and I will come to your side of town and ride. I hope maybe to bring my bike someday when I have a office meeting and ride the rest of the pm. My office is located in Harrisburg near the speedway. I will let you know.

My Motion Base showed an avg. ascent grade to be 8.9% overall for the ride. Hmmmmm, felt like it. Total elevation gain was 2691 feet which was just shy of 2700 ft.

Showed a max. ascent grade to be 24%........that is suspect. I remember seeing a few 15%'s pop up and it did seem to stay around the 6% to 9% range on grade the whole ride for the most part.

Who knows.......? All I know is it is a difficult climb for most.

I can never figure out how MB gets those stats? Hard to decipher it at times. But I reported what it showed after downloading the ride to MB from my Garmin. And that takes into account using Auto-Correct and MB Gravity elevation program.

I'm right across #49 from UNCC. Not far. There's a great route out from Harrisburg Elementary School. Rides of 30-, 55-, or 70-miles. I was planning to ride the 55-miler this weekend, but decided to go pre-ride the upcoming Rock Hill race route on Saturday instead (45 hilly miles :eek:)....

I think you are way too worried about the May ride and I have a feeling you will be at the front.....:)

We really should have a flatlander ride in the fall. I don't know if I'm up for hosting it tho....it is really flat here in Clayton, but the sites to see aren't as spectacular as the mountains...

We really should have a flatlander ride in the fall. I don't know if I'm up for hosting it tho....it is really flat here in Clayton, but the sites to see aren't as spectacular as the mountains...

You have a Smithfields BBQ? If so I would be game. I miss Smithfields!:D

yep, sure do! that's some good bbq!

My mouth is watering as I type this! PLease send me some USPS Priority please:D

haha. if i had your address, you might get a surprise for the weekend. if you remind me, i'll bring some for our ride :)

OOMPF..:eek: Do you know the grade of that climb?

note...never mind...LoL

It's 11% average for 3 miles. That's pretty tough.

If we're talking BBQ, it would have to be Wilbers in Goldsboro.

Yeah, BBQ! I loves me some BBQ! :love:

Bet that'll get us all up those hills. It'll sure have us avoiding drafting off of each other! :eek:

I like Hog Wild in Transylvania County located at Hwy. 276 right by the main road. Next to a bike store!

I am really looking forward to meeting some of you on the Saturday ride. Prolly the only ride I can do.

But so far: Cycling, BBQ, hot tubs, and sweaty cyclists ... I mean, c'mon, what's not to like?

I am really looking forward to meeting some of you on the Saturday ride. Prolly the only ride I can do.

But so far: Cycling, BBQ, hot tubs, and sweaty cyclists ... I mean, c'mon, what's not to like?
+1 :D

I'm gonna try to do both. If Saturday's ride doesn't do me first! :eek:

VV, perhaps it's different in your lead racing packs, but when I'm chugging uphill at 9 mph, drafting isn't much of an issue. ;)

This talk of tough climbs got me thinking about a backroad I've done south of Maryville. Per a Google map tool, it gains about 1,000 feet in 2.2 miles. I calculated a grade of 8.5%. Is that right?

It seems like it might be worse. Perhaps the numbers are off, or perhaps I'm just a wimp. :o

My group was cussing me halfway up for suggesting such a ride this early.

I'm hoping the first-climb-of-the-year excuse was a reason for my struggles on Tuesday. Because I thought about mailing it in several times on the way up. :o

The May rides will be my first climbs of the year. You guys will be so climb-buff by then, and I'll just be a flatland wienie. :cry:

You've got to have some hills nearby. Find the toughest one, gear up so you have to work, repeat as needed.

The May rides will be my first climbs of the year. You guys will be so climb-buff by then, and I'll just be a flatland wienie. :cry:


Crowders Mountain is your friend. It's calling you. Calling you. Ring Ring.

:roflmao:

You're right, sub. To the west, Crowder's Mountain. To the east, Morrow Mountain. I've no excuse not to do some climbing! :cry: :D

This Saturday, I'm riding the upcoming race route. Given my relatively recent reentry into riding, that'll probably be enough "hard" effort prior to the race on 4/15, followed by my usual rides to allow me to recover. But I'd like to try a Crowder Mountain run early in the week after the race, and before the following Sunday, when I plan to be in Charleston for the SC State Criterium Championships.

Will you or anyone else be going to the LowCountryVW races (http://www.lowcountryvwracing.com/images/2007%20Race/2007_LCVW_Race_Weekend_Flyer.pdf)?

You know I have nothing planned after this race in Rock Hill. Right now I'm not sure what I'll do.

If I can be honest with you ... and not make you feel like I'm being a big baby ...

I'm having a down moment. I get them regularly and used to be on meds for it. They're not as frequent, but I get real down. Right now, I'm feeling it. I'm second guessing my racing - heck, even my riding. I'm struggling to do anything. It may look like I'm all smiles and funny bones and kicking booty on the bickey, but truth is, I feel like S.H.I.bleep.

I haven't told my wife or anyone yet. She doesn't handle it well. So..... anyway... sorry for spilling my guts all over you.

Hey sub, i feel the same way sometimes. I have kids, too, and it can be a drain to have to be "up" all the time. I need some "me time" every once in a while. I'm usually thankful when the wife and kids head to her parents for a weekend. Really helps me recharge by doing whatever I like for a day or two. Can you/have you tried that?

Oh, update on my BF ride participation. I'm waiting on word from an interview for a new job out of town. If I'm still in Asheville, I'll be doing the Sunday ride. I earnestly hope others will stick around, as it will be a recovery ride after Saturday's outing...

cooperwx, if someone can lift my leg over my TT for me Sunday morning, I may just do it. :D

sub, baybuh, Vega knows down. I'm in a bit of a down place at the moment. I sat up and cried pretty late into the night following my TT. It just suddenly hit me how different my life is right now, and I suddenly missed my late husband really badly. He would have been so proud of me, and so supportive of what I'm doing. He should be here, and he's not. Now I can't get him out of my head, and I'm finding it hard to focus on some serious work I need to be doing. It's almost as if I've regressed in my bereavement, but I guess this is part of the healing. Two steps forward, one step back. What keeps me going at times like this? "And this, too, shall pass."

Just try to get out and ride a little. It sure helps get my endorphins up. And PM anytime. :) ((hugs))

Thanks. I couldn't imagine what you must go through. I'm very sorry.
I'm thinking about taking an extra day off work. Kinda hang with my girls, do some yard work, ride, rest, ride, and try to be at peace with things. Right now small things are really setting me off and I don't like it. But we'll soldier on, huh? Talk at you later.

The big things just have to be handled. For me, yes, it's the small things that set me off and feel so undoable when I'm down. I could tell you stories, but I think you get it. But it passes if you just keep moving forward. Hard to do, but important to keep pushing.

You know I have nothing planned after this race in Rock Hill. Right now I'm not sure what I'll do.

If I can be honest with you ... and not make you feel like I'm being a big baby ...

I'm having a down moment. I get them regularly and used to be on meds for it. They're not as frequent, but I get real down. Right now, I'm feeling it. I'm second guessing my racing - heck, even my riding. I'm struggling to do anything. It may look like I'm all smiles and funny bones and kicking booty on the bickey, but truth is, I feel like S.H.I.bleep.

I haven't told my wife or anyone yet. She doesn't handle it well. So..... anyway... sorry for spilling my guts all over you.

Sometimes training is the cure and sometimes it's the culprit. Perhaps you have been pushing a bit too much on the bike lately to the point of overtraining? I know when that happens to me I can get really *****y. When you get to the brink of overtraining ever little stress is magnified. I'm not meaning to belittle how you're feeling, just pointing out a possible cause.

The big things just have to be handled. For me, yes, it's the small things that set me off and feel so undoable when I'm down. I could tell you stories, but I think you get it. But it passes if you just keep moving forward. Hard to do, but important to keep pushing.

Vega- I've been meaning to tell you that anyone that admits to ever owning that car much less use it as part of their web identity has to have a lot of self confidence. :)

Hang in there. Cycling is great therapy, just keep it in perpective. It's not who you are just part of what you do.

In the old age home there are two kinds of people, those that did and those that wish they had. I know which one I want to be.

You're terrific, Bike WNC. :) Cycling started as therapy, and still is. But as I've regained my fitness from four years ago, and even 20 years ago, I'm feeling increasingly competitive. I'm gonna be "one of those that did." ;)

I loved me my Vega, yes I did. :love:

I added this climb of Rich Cove Rd in Maggie Valley to routeslip.com.

http://www.routeslip.com/routes/30064

It works out to over 18% average grade for the first 1.6 miles! :eek: Not sure if my Prius could get up that one.

Sorry you're feeling down, substructure. And VegaVixen, I have a hard time even imagining what you've been through. You've shown a lot of strength here at Bike Forums.

I've found that riding in the mountains, be it in the May ride or whenever, can be an uplifting experience when your emotions need a boost.

Life goes on, baybuh, though not always the way we would prefer. Best I can do is to shape my future as I wish it to be, to the extent possible. Cycling and racing, deferred interests for 20 years, will be a big part of that. :)

I need to go ride today. But where? <tappin' forehead, pensive Vega look>

Cycling and racing, deferred interests for 20 years, will be a big part of that. :)
What kind of/how much cycling did you do 20 years ago?

<close call, I almost wrote "when you were young" :p >

I just calculated there's a stretch on one of my routes that is 15% . . . for 0.1 mile. ;)

I'd hate trying that for 1.6 miles. :eek: That road must go straight up the mountain.

I added this climb of Rich Cove Rd in Maggie Valley to routeslip.com.

http://www.routeslip.com/routes/30064

It works out to over 18% average grade for the first 1.6 miles! :eek:

What kind of/how much cycling did you do 20 years ago?

<close call, I almost wrote "when you were young" :p >
:mad:


















































:p

I used to do road-riding, no racing. Had a boyfriend at the time who was heavy into tour-riding. We rode together a bit, but I mostly rode alone since he was in the military and I only saw him on leaves. I rode for about 2-3 years, quite a bit, and was young and strong and stupid, often riding in my tallest gear (52-14) as though it were a fixie, and never feeling pain or fatigue. I quit riding when I went overseas in '86 (where I continued to ride, but on a REAL beater), and rode for about half a year when I returned home in '87, but never quite got back into it, except to use my bike as a commuter bike in the early 90's. Then, another 15 years went by while I was busy pursuing other interests. And here I am now. :)

Fire Tower Rd (http://www.routeslip.com/routes/30085)

I don't know the grades, but our group does this one. Last time I did it I was in a 38/23. Nearly puked on the last switchback trying to keep pace with the fast guy.

For some reason, I thought this was Polkton. Where's Polkville? <curious Vega look>

As Coach Troy says..............train hard on your hard days and train light on your light days. Not vice versa. Every day should not be a hard training day. Recovery rides which seem pointless do you good! The Spinervals series has helped me with my standing on the pedals to mash out a incline. Do I like hills...........hell no! But I have come to be less concerned about them.

^ NW of Shelby.

Figure out where you are riding Vega?

For some reason, I thought this was Polkton. Where's Polkville? <curious Vega look>


North of Shelby.

Right near South Mountain State Park, Casar, stuff like that. Maybe in Rutherford???

Casar is in Rutherford County where I find alot of Meth Labs!:eek:

^ NW of Shelby.

Figure out where you are riding Vega?
Looks like I'm not gonna be riding in Rutherford County! Could be like ridin' through the jungles of Colombia! :eek:

If my sister weren't coming to go out to dinner this evening, I'd try the Thursday GCC ride. Maybe I'll go ride the 30-mile Harrisburg route. <pensive Vega look>

Casar is in Rutherford County where I find alot of Meth Labs!:eek:


Keep on the downlow! Why do you think I ride there?

Casar is in Rutherford County where I find alot of Meth Labs!:eek:
you with SBI? What DO you do, msheron?

you with SBI? What DO you do, msheron?

He could tell you but then you would HAVE TO do the SEBF ride. Is it worth it?

:roflmao:

I think we should do it again, after CM returns from Cali. ;)

He could tell you but then you would HAVE TO do the SEBF ride. Is it worth it?
BRAT!:D

you with SBI? What DO you do, msheron?

I am one of 7 site safety agents in the state for dismantling clandestine labs. The guys who wear the space suits. Great way to lose weight in the summer!:)

Now you have to go on the ride as BikeWNC stated. Or I will have to arrest you.:D