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05-04-08, 07:34 PM
At least today, I did. I've been putting in some respectable mileage over the last year. Up until about November, I was doing 120 or so miles a week, between commuting and weekend rides. This year, I only missed a couple weeks of riding due to weather, and since it's gotten nicer, I've been upping the mileage. I did 175 miles 3 weeks ago, 180 last week (with 1 101 miler!). So, you think I would be ready for some climbing.
Evidently not. I did a 53-miler today, with about 5,000 feet of total climbing. Most of it was typical rollers, with 3-7% grades being fairly common. There were a couple 10-11% sections that were tougher, but the big climb was over Mt. Weather - it's a 6-mile climb, with 2 really bad sections. The first is a 10-11% grade for about 1 mile or so. I stopped at the top of it for a bit of recovery, then went on - the worst part was a mile-long section that runs between 11% all the way up to 17%. I ended up having to walk my bike to the top of that section. The rest of the mountain was hard, but do-able.
There was one other section that once it got over 13%, I just couldn't climb it without getting so slow that I felt too wobbly to keep my balance, so I ended up walking it, too.
After that, the rest of the ride was fine - I was just VERY frustrated that I didn't ride up those 2 sections. I know I need to lose 20 lbs or so.....but I ended the ride just emotionally drained from it. Hopefully my mood will improve during the week.
Evidently not. I did a 53-miler today, with about 5,000 feet of total climbing. Most of it was typical rollers, with 3-7% grades being fairly common. There were a couple 10-11% sections that were tougher, but the big climb was over Mt. Weather - it's a 6-mile climb, with 2 really bad sections. The first is a 10-11% grade for about 1 mile or so. I stopped at the top of it for a bit of recovery, then went on - the worst part was a mile-long section that runs between 11% all the way up to 17%. I ended up having to walk my bike to the top of that section. The rest of the mountain was hard, but do-able.
There was one other section that once it got over 13%, I just couldn't climb it without getting so slow that I felt too wobbly to keep my balance, so I ended up walking it, too.
After that, the rest of the ride was fine - I was just VERY frustrated that I didn't ride up those 2 sections. I know I need to lose 20 lbs or so.....but I ended the ride just emotionally drained from it. Hopefully my mood will improve during the week.