Fifty Plus (50+) - Hills, Pie and Golf

I participated in the 75 Mile 3 Mountain Madness today which has 3 featured climbs. The 3 climbs are Sauratown Mountain, Hanging Rock and Pilot Knob and all up and back which just adds to the craziness. Pilot Knob is a pretty tough 2.5 mile climb with the middle mile averaging around 12%. The steepest section within that mile was 20%. There were 660 riders doing that ride today.

On the descent on Hanging Rock I was coming down a 10% grade at a really fast clip. An absolute idiot going up the climb decided it was too steep for him so he pulls across the road into my lane and stops not too far in front of me-and stands in the road with the bike sideways across the road!!! Everyone was hollaring at him including me and fortunately he stayed put until I could swerve around him. There was no way I could have slowed to under 25 mph. Had we hit it would been a lot of broken parts.

One of my riding buddies was just behind him coming up the hill and just sent me an email that he was hollaring at him to get off the road. Plus the guy did the same thing on the next steep climb?!?!?!

I was riding extremely strong for me and in some terrific groups but ran out of fluids and cramped pretty badly........again. I flagged down somebody's sag wagon and they gave me some flavored water that tasted like medicine.......yuck!! But at least it was wet.

After the ride they had some really good desserts and I spotted some homemade Apple Pies or Apple Turnovers as we call them in some baggies. I think it went down in two bites......

The stats:

Distance 75.26 miles
Climbing feet 7872
Steepest section 20%
Total time 4hr 40 mins
Stop time 2 mins
Avg Speed 16.2mph
Max Speed 46.0 mph
Avg HR 146 bpm
Max HR 179 bpm
Calories 5062

After the ride I hurried over a couple miles away and met a friend and played a round of golf. I did something this week I told myself I wouldn't do. I spent a pretty good some of money on upgrading my golf equipment instead of cycling stuff!! I actually learned of some different technology and just had to give it a try. I am really, really glad I did. I know we preach about getting fitted on a bike and I did it for my golf clubs which lead to some changes. I am just astounded by the results that this expert was able to do for me. On tired legs today I was still able to play pretty well and in fact shot a 76 which is not bad for me these days using the new stuff. If anyone is interested PM me and I'll fill you in. It's the best money I've ever thrown at golf in 40+ years of playing.

Great Googly Moogly! I salute you, sir!

There were 660 riders doing that ride today.

Great report jppe. HeHe, I did a flat 50 miler today and saw 15 other riders. I was thinking that it was getting crowded . :eek: Only saw about 20 cars in the same 50 miles. :D Also saw a baby antelope that was probably only a day old. :) :)

One thing I envy is the little amout of time it takes you to do rides- in comparison to me. Just think of all the time I could have to continue my "Other" hobby of gardening. It is not as physical as Golf but still as enjoyable for some. Now if only I could put a 4 hour ride into 3- just think how much time I could spend enjoying the garden. But as you can see from the attachment- The enjoyable side of Cycling comes in the garden- Providing you can keep the dog and relations out of it.

AND JPPE- I have it that you are doing a ride on 11th June- that to me seems an unusual day to be riding- Can you confirm the date as I for one will be Doing a virtual ride with you on this BIG one of yours.

AND JPPE- I have it that you are doing a ride on 11th June- that to me seems an unusual day to be riding- Can you confirm the date as I for one will be Doing a virtual ride with you on this BIG one of yours.

It is indeed on Monday, June 11. The ride uses the Blue Ridge Parkway for about 15 miles and the BRP is considered a National Park. The park officials requested that it be moved off a weekend to avoid conflicts with heavier weekend traffic. It will be very interesting to see how traffic is on the other roads the first 85 miles leading up there. At least the schools are already on vacation for the summer but with a 6:30 am start we will be going through "rush hour" somewhere. As rural as the route is most of the rush hour traffic just might be farm tractors and equipment!!

Surprisingly even with it on a Monday, participation has been extremely strong and the event was sold out in 20 minutes. I guess when the pain sets in my mantra will be "this is better than being at work, this is better than being at work".........Long range forecast is for temps in the 90's with high humidity in the foothills. Ugh.......I'm hoping for rain!!!! Mitchell is always a crapshoot weather wise so the race will be to get in the first 85 miles to the Parkway before it gets too hot!!! It has rained every year I've done it anyway so who knows.

Thanks for thinking of the ride. That will be a pretty long virtual ride by the way!!!

jppe....naturally we'll want all the details. Any special plans for fighting dehydration in those temps? If I eat too much or drink too much before extended climbing I feel almost as badly as I would if I didn't eat or drink adequately. A fine line to get just right.