[Velodiva]

The Low-Key Hill Climb series in the San Francisco Bay area started Sept. 29 and run through November 22. Number 2 in the series of 7 was Kings Mountain on October 6. I decided to go for it! After all, "low-key", right? The registration and staging was about 6.5 miles from the start. This was a sea of testosterone: 11 women registered and 75 men. We started out in groups of 10 - 20. I started out in about the fourth group - figured I would rather pass people than get passed. The biggest problem was that the segment from staging to the start was mostly downhill so no time to warm up. Starting with a cold engine, it took a few minutes for my breathing and heart rate to settle in. Statistics for the climb are as follows:

Max. grade: 14% (16% on switchbacks)
Avg. grade: 6.8%
Length: 4.31 miles
Elev. gain: 1540 feet

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd160/velodiva/kingsmountain_aalt.gif

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd160/velodiva/view.jpg
Kings Mountain climbs through the redwoods and it was a gorgeous day.

I felt great and the grade wasn't too bad. I pushed myself but certainly not at race pace. I surprised myself and finished in third place for the women (out of 11 women) with a time of 32:42. That was good enough to contribute to my Webcor/Alto Velo team score.

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd160/velodiva/RFAMEA.jpg
Hermes and Velodiva at the staging area

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd160/velodiva/MEA.jpg
The Climb on my Orbea Orca

Next week is Mount Diablo - 11.28 miles and 3220 feet of climbing - gotta love those hills.

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[Wildwood]

No wonder you did so well, the Orbea looks FAST.
Everyone is moving to white handlebar tape, must be the aerodynamics.
Congrats on your result.

[jppe]

Great ride and results!! And I agree you look pretty fast in the profile picture! If you'd be willing to take 25-30 lbs from me I could probably climb that fast as well!!!

[Beverly]

Great results! Congratulations.