Originally Posted by
Hermes
Congrats on completing the ride. 70 miles with that much climbing is very difficult. I know what you mean about cold descents. On a Mount Diablo climb, the descending was so cold, I started to shake such that I had to stop for a moment. It is hard to dress for both the ascent and descent. For our upcoming low key hill climb races, there is a car that will carry a bag of extra clothes to the top os that we can dress warm for the descents. This now falls in the category of now you know you can do it and the next time will be better / different.
Adding on...I want to re-emphasize how well you did. My additional comment is to know yourself. Doing these major climbs is about conquering yourself. We are all limited by fitness but to an extent as much by our inability to know what we can do. Each time you do that climb, you will improve because your confidence and knowledge will build.
The first time I climbed Mount Hamilton 4400 feet in 19 miles of climbing with 2 downhill sections, it was very tough. I had no idea what to expect other than I thought I could do it. After 12 miles of mostly climbing, there is a bridge with a sign that says 7 miles to top. The grade to the top from there is a steady 7%. The first time I saw that sign I thought
I have another hour to go and I am tired! From there, it was mostly mental. Since that time, I have raced up Mount Hamilton two times and will do it again on Thanksgiving morning and I am looking forward to it. I have conquered myself.
