Originally Posted by
JimF22003
Followup: I was feeling pretty good (considering) when I went past the rest stop, so I decided to keep on chugging. They didn't have misters this year, but a guy did offer to dump some water down my back, and I took him up on it.
So, story ends: no stopping, no walking. I made it to the top this year, unlike last year:
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/88856729
We must have ridden near each other for most of the day. My ride time was a bit quicker but my overall time was slower because Neal was cramping and I waited on him at the rest stops later in the ride. One thing I find weird though is your Garmin shows over 9700' of climbing while my 800 reads just over 9000', Neal's 800 is between the two. How can they be so far apart?
BTW, I did stop on the way up the climb. I just don't seem to have the leg strength to turn over the pedals for the length of that grade that late in the ride. I rode past the rest stop but that next corner I was pulling wheelies it was so steep and I pulled over on the left at the next road intersection. I felt great most of the day and kept slowing hoping Neal would keep up but his cramping really hurt him, though he finished to his credit.
All I can say is that last climb is just cruel. lol
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/88902331