I wanted to get a little bit of climbing in, (even though I'm a lousy climber). I foolishly signed up for the Strava climbing challenge currently ongoing. My goal is to finish in the top half. So, yesterday I rode a metric century from Palmdale to Big Pines/Mountain High. The extra 5,353 climbing feet took me from the bottom quarter to the top third in the challenge.

Usually, when I know I'm going to be doing some climbing, I'll take my Madone with a triple crank. Before I left, I mapped out my route on MapMyRide, printed out a little turn here/turn there chart to tape to my top tube. The route didn't look too awful, so I took my compact double. After I got back and uploaded the ride, I noticed that the last climb is classified as a Hors Catégorie climb, (at least on Strava). I thought there was a lot of 10% grades showing up on the computer. Made it okay, which surprised me. It took me awhile, but there was plenty of daylight, so I didn't really feel like turning around. Coming back down, I could see how very steep some of the grades are. Didn't look so steep on the way up. I'll no longer be afraid of a HC climb anymore, and just maybe I should dump the triple since it doesn't look like I really need it.

route on Strava
route on Garmin Connect

Thinking of getting some early miles in before the rain hits tomorrow morning, not sure where though.

It was definitly a busy day

Lytle creek is a nice gentle club till the last 3 miles. 25 total in and out. GMR is more difficult but get you closer 50+ miles. And there is always the grind ride going up baldy to which is kind of inbetween the two.

GMR it was, weather was perfect for setting a personal record. Cut 5 minutes off my previous time and just made my goal of under an hour.

http://app.strava.com/rides/5657395

Weather forecast looks bad for tomorrow. Crossing my fingers that the rain will be light enough in the AM to get a ride in. I had a business trip last week that messed up my normal ride schedule.

Dude, congrats for hitting your goal!

Fri: Sleeping Indian, W. Lilac, 395, Twin Oaks.
Sat: Coast.
Sun: Jesmond Dene, Old Castle, W. Lilac.

Sat: Coast, Elfin Forest, time trial through Harmony Grove (I proved once again that I will never be fast).
Sun: Sat home and did laundry since it was suppose to rain.

Friday: Short ride around my house, most consists of short but steep climbs.

22 miles
3,933ft elevation gain (according to Strava)
http://app.strava.com/rides/5626547

Saturday: Training for Breathless Agony century. First ride with over 10K ft of elevation gain.

100 miles
13,771 ft elevation gain
http://app.strava.com/rides/5675976

Sunday: I was going to go for a recovery spin, but it rained all day. Legs are still pretty sore.

And by pretty sore I mean that I can't move them and I am extremely happy that it's raining and I can't go for a ride.

Little apprehensive as all I ended up doing last two days were sitting on trainer spinning for 2.5 & 3.5 hours each on endurance speed. Noticed I started barging into over training (must be my work schedule, etc) so backing off on any hard ride till I can get better rest. (Saturday... had to stick around home, today the rain... I don't do joy ride on rain... only commute)
At least, I can feel my leg feeling "fresher" and little less tense. Hopefully I can get some good sleeps next couple of weeks before the rides starts.

I'm in that area as well. There are plenty of good routes outhere. Check out the routes I posed in the "post your ride via Garmin Connect or equivalent" but in a nutshell, you can easily ride down to upland or glendora for some climbing and ride back. Other rides suggested earlier are good also. Lytle Creek Climb, Glen Hellen through Devore is a pretty good ride with Climbing. You can either ride or drive to the beginning of the Santa Ana River Trail in San Bernandino off of the 10 and Waterman, ride that and climb to the top of Mt. Rubidoux. 40 miles round trip.

LOL I know the feeling i coudl move but my one knee felt bad. I tend to think it is the ride and not position.