Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - 5,000 ft in 14 miles with Hillbasher (vid and pics)

Wow what a ride! Mills and Baseline to the lift on Baldy Rd. I looked it up on MapMyRide and the elevation gain is 5,000 ft in 14 miles. A little foggy at the start but once we hit the slightest elevation, the sun popped was shining bright. Hillbasher and I aimed for Ice House Canyon for starters. Well, first Baldy Village then we'd go from there. HB did a pretty good pace up Baldy Rd so I was hoping to hang close.

Once at the post office my legs were tight but figured ICC was within reach. We pretty much aced that section. I was a bit hesitant as I have never been above the village on my bike but it wasn't all that bad. Something like 700 feet within a mile or so. From there I figured my legs were cooked but HB suggested we try a switchback or two. OK, let's go for it! I've heard horror stories about this section so I was thinking that I'd not make it being out of climbing form. But I was surprised at the not so killer switchbacks. One switchback down, then a second then a third. HB said there were ten and we aced the first three so I figured it couldn't be all that bad.

We did stop a couple of times. Mainly because I had no idea where I was at and wanted some info from HB. Turns out we aren't that far from the top so we keep going. Next thing I know we're about a mile from the top and HB says we're too far to turn back now! So we continue on then hit a slight downhill. I remember a super steep grade at the end the few times I've driven up there so I stopped on a stretch to ask HB where the stretch was. "You're on it!" he said. Well what do you know! So we are about 40 yards from the top when HB shouts "Let's see that sprint!". I sucked it up and sprinted to the top. I was really shocked that I could. I almost died but I sprinted ha ha!

Turned out to be a very cool ride. I wasn't sure about doing the lifts but HB pretty much encouraged me up the entire trip. Actually for a month he's been telling me that I can do it no problem. Well we finally went for it and he was right! Like I said, not being in good form, I made it and it wasn't the killer ride most make it out to be. Heck, if I get back into form, it'll be a walk in the park ha ha! Thanks to HB for coaching me up cause if I had been alone, I probably would have turned back at the tunnels ha ha!

BTW, at the end of the ride, HB presented me with a new TOC jersey. Well actually Gina will have to wear it cause it's too small for this big climber ha ha! But thanks, nice jersey! I've really been making out on rides lately. Eyemage gave me pack of candy chews on our last ride ha ha. Every little bit counts!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoI9Xuf6SbU

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/081011500A.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/081011500B.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/081011500C.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/081011500D.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/081011500E.jpg

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Few more pics.

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/081011500G.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/081011500H.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/081011500I.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/081011500J.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/081011500K.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/081011500L.jpg

FTU usually asks for an elevation profile so here it is. Upper profile is the overall ride. Lower profile is the last 3 miles.:D

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6136/6031490340_f10541b73d.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/35885048@N06/6031490340/)
elevation (http://www.flickr.com/photos/35885048@N06/6031490340/) by mrbeanz1 (http://www.flickr.com/people/35885048@N06/), on Flickr

Jesus Beanz...my legs hurt just looking at that profile map.


BTW, you gonna do something special for your 15,000 post?

Jesus Beanz...my legs hurt just looking at that profile map.


BTW, you gonna do something special for your 15,000 post?

Hahaha! To tell you the truth, I didnt even notice the number!:D

But looks like my 15,000th is going to you!:thumb:

Jesus, your legs must be made of iron. Looking at the video and photos make my legs burn. Congratulations on one hell of a ride. :thumb:

Hahaha! To tell you the truth, I didnt even notice the number!:D

But looks like my 15,000th is going to you!:thumb:



D'awwwwww, i feel like a special noobie now.

Ive been christened by the almighty Beanz.

Awesome video, tough looking ride, thanks for sharing.

Nice job to you both. I'm still working on hills and my endurance! FANTASTIC! Any tips on hill climbing Mr. Beanz?

Jesus, your legs must be made of iron. Looking at the video and photos make my legs burn. Congratulations on one hell of a ride. :thumb:

Thanks! What helps me is knowing that the pros in the TOC (Hincapie, Horner, etc) raced up these climbs like it was a downhill. I kept thinking, if they can race up the climb, I should be able to alt east crawl up.:D

D'awwwwww, i feel like a special noobie now.

Ive been christened by the almighty Beanz.

:roflmao2:

Awesome video, tough looking ride, thanks for sharing.

Thanks! The nice thing about this ride is that it's a premier ride. One that not every rider does or even thinks about doing so being a clyde and old makes it that much more special!:p

Nice job to you both. I'm still working on hills and my endurance! FANTASTIC! Any tips on hill climbing Mr. Beanz?

What helped me is conquering one hill at a time. 1/2 miler, then a miler, then a two miler etc. I really concentrate on my breathing. Most of the times you hear me on a video huffing and puffing, that's because I'm talking and riding with one hand. But on the other sections, I'm really trying to use a good breathing pattern to slow my breathing and keep the heart from pounding too hard. I think it's a waste of energy huffing and puffing, moving side to side and bopping your head all over the bike. Use a good strict form and you will find that it is very efficient when it comes to propelling yourself up a hill.

Keep hand loose on the bars, death grip is a waste of energy. Relax upper body and relax. Apply that energy straight to the legs. Good saddle height and position is a big factor on the climbs. A good leg extension helps. If you go too high you lose power.

Take each hills slowly at first, just make it up. Study it then lift the pace the second or third time. Do your pace and don't try to keep up with the others. Many times you can be slow at the start of a climb, then finish strong at the end of the climb. Lots of finding the right pace for "yourself". If at first you don't make the climb, don't sweat it, try again on a better day. Sometimes you just have a bad day before the climb and it affects you on the ride.


One big thing to remember is that once you do a hill, you've conquered and it's yours. :thumb:

That's about all I got! :D

Thanks! The nice thing about this ride is that it's a premier ride. One that not every rider does or even thinks about doing so being a Clyde and old makes it that much more special!:p

There was close to 500 pounds of Clyde crawling up that hill yesterday between the two of us. . Think we scared everyone else off the road that might have even thought about trying it. LOL. Was a great ride and besides being hot at times, the weather was extremely nice. Blue skies all day once we cleared the fog about 20 minutes after starting.:50:

There was close to 500 pounds of Clyde crawling up that hill yesterday between the two of us. . Think we scared everyone else off the road that might have even thought about trying it. LOL.

I think that had something to do with it! :roflmao2:

Here I though GMR was tough. I think I'll attempt this ride someday soon.

Here I though GMR was tough. I think I'll attempt this ride someday soon.

Let us know, we'll go with you!:D

Let us know, we'll go with you!:D

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At this point I was starting to try and talk Beanz into continuing up to the lifts, but his feelings on that matter were refected in the sign above his head. LOL :50:

Hey Mr. Beanz how long did it take to do this climb and you guys are truly beasts. Oh yea the video was awesome as always too. :)

Hey Mr. Beanz how long did it take to do this climb and you guys are truly beasts. Oh yea the video was awesome as always too. :)

Thanks! The first section 9 1/2 miles took 1:42 and the second section took 1:08. It was about 2:50 of pure climbing. We did take a short detour of about 1 for potty breaks to a couple parks that added an extra mile. Our climbing average was about 5.5 on the way up.

Our total time was 2:50 on the way up (with the extra mile). I didn't or maybe I just forgot to look at the average registered on my computer at the time.

I'm actually pretty happy with the 1:10 on the top section. I've been up to the village (below the top section) with some serious climbers and they claim it takes about an hour for them to reach the top. So for old big clydes, 1:10 is good enough....Plus, I've seen lots of riders head up and return rather quickly, like ten minutes later.:D