How's this for a ride?
 

I just staggered in from my last big training ride for Mt. Mitchell. I've been doing lots of commuting, and doing more hills - I had an 86-miler, a 100 miler, and the last month, I did 5 55-mile/5K climb rides. Today was going to be a solo century with 6K climbing. It started out OK, and I felt pretty good out through the 45 mile mark, with a short rest stop at 30 to get something to eat, a bathroom break, and some time off of the saddle.

I started the climb up towards Mt. Weather, and even though it was hard, I was doing OK. Turned up Route 7, and wasn't doing badly...then up the killer climb up route 601. It's less than 1/2 mile, but it starts at 13% and gets progressively steeper until you're doing 18-20%. Made it...with a short break to get HR back to human range...then up to the summit. Got up to the top, and turned around for the descent......when....

The clouds opened up with a thunderstorm that was so heavy, I couldn't see. I pedaled back towards an overpass near a government facility to get some shelter, and waited it out. I was soaked from head to toe. I took my helmet and gloves off to wring them out while I was waiting...and after about 20 minutes, it cleared up enough to move out.

The descent was pretty tricky, since the roads were VERY wet, and brakes really didn't want to work unless I manhandled them into cooperating. I eventually got down to the bottom, and turned down the highway - got buzzed by a semi going 70+ - that was NOT fun.

Made a stop at 60 miles to get more Gatorade...and moved on. Stopped at 72 and 87 miles, then rode the rest of the way home. In a few minutes, I'll get a shower and start cleaning the bike...but all in all, it was a pretty good ride.

Total miles - 101.1
Ride time - 7:23
Average Speed 13.6 MPH
Top speed - 38 MPH
Total Ascent - 6500 feet

Damn. You da MAN!

Sounds like a good ride! Congratulations!

Why do you need to clean the bike? Didn't Mother Nature take care of that for you? :)

Wow, down hill on wet roads. That had to interesting. Nice job.

Excellent! I've pretty much finished my climbing training for now, and will be doing the last of my speed work Sunday and Tuesday, with nice easy recovery rides scheduled for Wed, Thur, Fri & Sun before AoMM and try and get nice & rested for it. See you there.

Way to go! Now that's a ride! I really need to get a roadbike so I can break my first 100. I don't see myself doing it on a MTB. I could try but I really want a good roadbike to do that on.
Ernest

I saw that same storm from inside my house. Better you than me, I say :)

Great work!

That's pretty hard core.

I think hard-headed is more like it. When I got stranded at the top of Mt. Weather, I called my wife to see if she would come out and get me. No answer on the home phone, or her cell - so I was on my own. As I was waiting for the rain to stop, I got to wring out my gloves, socks, helmet liner and even my jersey. (Modesty prevented me from wringing out my shorts.)

And, even though Mother Nature helped somewhat, My bike was brown from all the dirt and sand that stuck to every part of the frame. I used low pressure clear water to rinse it down, and wiped down the wheels, frame and drive train. Then, I took dry chain lube and really went over the chain and derailleurs to make sure there was no grit left in them. Same thing with the brakes/shifter levers - I've got to ride this on AOMM next Monday, so I want to make sure it's ready. I may even take it into the shop to have them go over it, just in case.

This week will likely be one commuting ride, and a 20-30 mile easy ride on Saturday to keep flexible, with some decent stretching this week. I'm even paying the neighbor kid to mow the yard on Saturday, so that my back isn't stiff from mowing the steep hill in our back yard....then it's a 7.5 hour drive down to Spartanburg, and (hopefully) a good night's sleep for the big event on the 9th....

'

I did a metric century on a MTB once. (ONCE). Even if you're riding a flat-bar bike, ride something with skinny tires and no suspension. You'll be thankful. Riding a MTB long distances is like trying to push a truck uphill.

Good luck trying to pick me out among the thousands of other riders.....:D

I'll be wearing one of two jerseys:

This:
http://www.openeyecafe.com/images/op...y_sm_front.jpg


Or This:

http://storesense4.megawebservers.co...rong_thumb.jpg