Fifty Plus (50+) - That's one small step for mankind...

... and one giant leap for me.

I had no goal for my Saturday ride -I like to have a goal for my Saturday ride, it helps to push me- but yesterday I thought of a place I've never ridden. I talked to a friend and he said I could do it no problem but, then, he doesn't really know. I've driven the route but that was years and years ago and I remembered it being pretty steep. So, I mapped it out and it didn't really look any worse than anything I've already done. Well, only one way to find out so off I went this morning. No big deal... I just kind of picked a gear -didn't even need my "compound low"- settled into a sustainable pace and kept going up for a mile and a half. Stopped once to open my jersey a bit when it started getting warm. At 600 feet there's a picnic area and a road which leads to t he summit. The summit wasn't really in my plans for today but, you know, I'm here so why not? Well... the climb to the picnic area is about 5.5% but the climb to the summit is more like 10%. It's been beautiful and sunny all week but not today. The fog blew in and I could tell that there would be no payoff at the top other than making it to the top. My legs were really getting tired -I just opened up a big suitcase of pain :lol:- and I still had a lot of uphill to get home. Today, the summit won but there will be other days. In the end I climbed higher than I ever have before... over 1000' up. It just felt so easy to find my pace today. They say it's not the size of the dog in the fight but the size of the fight in the dog. Sure it ended up only being another 20 mile ride -yawn- but there had to be 30-40 miles worth of effort in the 20 miles. Put me on a flat now and I could go forever. I feel good :D

edit: Well, wouldn't you know it? Here I sit with legs a'sore and about 20 minutes ago, the clouds and fog parted and the sun came out. Blue skies, nothing but blue skies... bet the view from atop San Bruno Mountain is worth climbing that last 300 feet for now :(

edit: OK, Ok, I know...same old, same old. It was a big deal for *me*, anyway
I'll see if I can come up with something better...maybe tomorrow

... and one giant leap for me.


edit: Well, wouldn't you know it? Here I sit with legs a'sore and about 20 minutes ago, the clouds and fog parted and the sun came out. Blue skies, nothing but blue skies... bet the view from atop San Bruno Mountain is worth climbing that last 300 feet for now :(

edit: OK, Ok, I know...same old, same old. It was a big deal for *me*, anyway
I'll see if I can come up with something better...maybe tomorrow

Great to find new challenges-And glad to see the legs haven't suffered.

Is it Murphy's or s*ds law that works against you. I had a fantastic view of Ventoux last year- From the base of it. Don't think the eyes would have worked from the top in any case so look at it that next time you attempt the hill- It will be worth it.

And just remember- The trip down the hills is the fun bit- but you have to work for them.

... and one giant leap for me.

edit: Well, wouldn't you know it? Here I sit with legs a'sore and about 20 minutes ago, the clouds and fog parted and the sun came out. Blue skies, nothing but blue skies... bet the view from atop San Bruno Mountain is worth climbing that last 300 feet for now :(



Don't you hate it when the best weather comes after the ride?

I might be a better climber if I had places such as yours:o

You left a little for the next time. If you would have finished then you might not have gone back, but now you get to do most of the ride twice.

I do understand the feeling of almost making it to the top, I still have a ride to do this year that I started last year.

You left a little for the next time. If you would have finished then you might not have gone back, but now you get to do most of the ride twice

Yep, my thoughts at the time exactly. This wasn't part of the planned ride so it was all gravy.
And because I now have a better idea of what's ahead of me, the second time won't be such a shock.
I had a couple of friends warn me that the Radio Road climb was steep (I think it averages 10% or better... Hm, no. Per HeyWhatsThis.com, it's more like 7%. 7%??? Wow, what a wimp I am; it felt much worse.)... they weren't kidding. The ride down was fun, though.


I do understand the feeling of almost making it to the top, I still have a ride to do this year that I started last year.

And it's still there waiting for you, calling.


Don't you hate it when the best weather comes after the ride?

Yeah, and this is not the first time, either, whether it's the same day or the next day... Phooey!


I might be a better climber if I had places such as yours

It's not like I have much of a choice, really... I go up or I go nowhere.
But it sure does help make one better at it :D