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03-16-08, 01:57 PM
Friday It warmed up to 41 and melted most of the snow of the roads. Today on the way home from the slopes after skiing I noticed that the roads were snow free and dry. It was cold mid 20’s but the roads were dry so I had to go out. The wife thought I was crazy so she took a picture before I left.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v41/theorracle/bikewinter001.jpg
I decided to follow lake Charlevoix out to Ridge road and hammer some real hills. After all HHH is not to far away. Ridge road has two hills that hit 13 % grade as you climb away from the lake. Typical Michigan rollers.
Here is the lake and a View down ridge road. The pictures don’t do it justice.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v41/theorracle/bikewinter003.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v41/theorracle/bikewinter006.jpg
After Ridge road I was feeling great and decided to up my mileage and head out to a local climb called the WALL! It is a 3-mile climb that starts out as a false flat and gradually gets steeper until you hit the Final 150 Yards at 18%. On the way I Hit a few shady spots that still had some snow on them and also crossed a local snowmobile path.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v41/theorracle/bikewinter008.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v41/theorracle/bikewinter010.jpg
So the moment of truth comes, did all this spinning and roller time payoff or will the wall crush me. 2.5 miles of climbing and my legs are burning pretty good and then the sign that scares most locals is now staring me in the face.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v41/theorracle/bikewinter012.jpg
It hurt but I made it. By the way any body ever try taking a picture of their computer while on a 17 % grade and riding one handed. I just prayed that the bike didn’t stop because clipping out could have been tricky.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v41/theorracle/bikewinter015.jpg
I am now at the highest point in the county, which means………. You guessed it, it’s all down hill from here. Or at least the rollers descend more than they climb. Some pictures of the view.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v41/theorracle/bikewinter016.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v41/theorracle/bikewinter018.jpg
You got to love fast downhill rollers.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v41/theorracle/bikewinter019.jpg
It turned out to be a 37-mile ride with some good climbs. The sun was shinning so even though it was in the mid 20’s it felt great. The forecast calls for snow most of next week but I can tell that spring is right around the corner.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v41/theorracle/bikewinter001.jpg
I decided to follow lake Charlevoix out to Ridge road and hammer some real hills. After all HHH is not to far away. Ridge road has two hills that hit 13 % grade as you climb away from the lake. Typical Michigan rollers.
Here is the lake and a View down ridge road. The pictures don’t do it justice.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v41/theorracle/bikewinter003.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v41/theorracle/bikewinter006.jpg
After Ridge road I was feeling great and decided to up my mileage and head out to a local climb called the WALL! It is a 3-mile climb that starts out as a false flat and gradually gets steeper until you hit the Final 150 Yards at 18%. On the way I Hit a few shady spots that still had some snow on them and also crossed a local snowmobile path.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v41/theorracle/bikewinter008.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v41/theorracle/bikewinter010.jpg
So the moment of truth comes, did all this spinning and roller time payoff or will the wall crush me. 2.5 miles of climbing and my legs are burning pretty good and then the sign that scares most locals is now staring me in the face.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v41/theorracle/bikewinter012.jpg
It hurt but I made it. By the way any body ever try taking a picture of their computer while on a 17 % grade and riding one handed. I just prayed that the bike didn’t stop because clipping out could have been tricky.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v41/theorracle/bikewinter015.jpg
I am now at the highest point in the county, which means………. You guessed it, it’s all down hill from here. Or at least the rollers descend more than they climb. Some pictures of the view.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v41/theorracle/bikewinter016.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v41/theorracle/bikewinter018.jpg
You got to love fast downhill rollers.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v41/theorracle/bikewinter019.jpg
It turned out to be a 37-mile ride with some good climbs. The sun was shinning so even though it was in the mid 20’s it felt great. The forecast calls for snow most of next week but I can tell that spring is right around the corner.