Monday, May 4, 2009

One Obesession for Another

I traded one obsession for another… Trail Running to Road Cycling…. and I am loving IT!!

Saturday’s event was ify with light rain before the start. Amazingly we got lucky and with the weather clearing about 10 minutes before the start and remained perfect for the entire ride. For the first 15 miles the course offered lots of rolling hills. This I am comfortable with and enjoy much more with each ride.

Let the Climbing BEGIN....

Somewhere around mile 20ish the steady climbing began and the grade would average 4% to 7% for around 7-8 miles. I had issues with my chain (totally my fault) a few times and had to dismount twice. Sucks starting back on a hill but I did it. The climbing was never ending. At times I thought it would level a bit at the next curve only to continue. Finally a stop sign. Then a painted sign on the road. 1 HARD MILE to rest stop. 1 VERY HARD MILE!! This hard mile would hold a 14.8% grade. INSANE PEOPLE!!!! You just grind and grind the pedal and barely feel like you are moving.

Top of Overlook Mountain

At the rest stop I dismounted and felt as if I were going to get sick. After re-grouping and getting my mind back in the ride we pulled out of the rest stop. With about 200-300 more feet of climbing the ride would switch back to rolling hills. Lots of them but no nasty 14.8% grades.


Ride time: 4 hrs. 19 min.
Elevation: 6000 plus feet of climbing

Crazy, hard course and one I look forward to repeating next year!!

Today my butt feels all of the climbing. Still I am happy with the progress I am making and with each ride I want more. :)

Robin

20 comments:

Marcy said...

Forget your butt, how does your cooter feel? Dang 4 hrs on the seat that can't feel nice after LOL

Anonymous said...

I think switching workouts is refreshing. There is nothing better than actually looking forward to a workout and feeling improvement.

Nice job on the ride!

Unknown said...

I traded one obsession for another… Trail Running to Road Cycling…. and I am loving IT!!
-----------
Headed to the dark side I see. ;-) Nice job on the ride. Glad to hear you are enjoying it.

Wes said...

LOL@Marcy... What's a cooter? :-)

We'll have you passionate about Ironman someday soon!!

Keep up the great work!!

Anonymous said...

As long as one has an obsession it's all good - and such a healthy one! Nothing more boring than a person without a passion.

Well done. Um, super well done!

Bob said...

Better you than me. 14% is a sick grade. Check out this photo:

http://www.bike-zone.com/photos.php?id=/photos/2008/jun08/tourdenez08/tourdenez082/2008TdNez2_10

Marlene said...

LOL at Marcy's comment.

AWESOME job. I have no idea what it would feel like to ride up hills like that, but I'm guessing it's freakin' insane. Way to go!

ShirleyPerly said...

14.8% grade for one mile -- YIKES!!

SUPER job on that ride, Robin. I can hear the enthusiasm in your writing when you talk about riding. Glad you are having fun!

Chris said...

Robin, you are a climbing stud! (studette , I guess)

Now you are making me scared to ride with you.... You are one amazing athlete girl!

Shannon said...

Awesome job!

Patrick said...

Sounds like a great ride!!! I am happy to hear you enjoy this sport as much as the last!

Grey Beard said...

:D ... I did have my fingers crossed on your behalf, but thought you could do it. Congratulations! Those are real confidence builders - something you can build on! :D

They always seem to throw in a "kicker" on climbing rides. I'm very happy for you that you accepted the challenge and beat it. Big KUDOS

teacherwoman said...

Sounds like a great ride! Way to go Robin!

Kevin said...

Yikes thats some serious climbing. Way to go

Runner Mom said...

I am so proud of you, chickadee! You are awesome! And, I am proud of Scott too!! Y'all are amazing!

Thanks again for coming out to Buncombe Trails and being there for us to FINALLY finish the race!! You two are precious friends!

Hugs,
Susan

zanne said...

ok. am LOVING the name change of blog! too funny! I feel like I need to change mine again to "Zanne Mostly Just Rides".

Nice job on the ride girl ... now -when are you gonna RACE that bike?? There's a sweet stage race here: Tour of the Red River Gorge. Friday is 6 mile TT prolgue. Saturday is 54 miles road race & Sunday is another 54 mile road race. Check it out!! http://www.tour-rrg.com/

Mel-2nd Chances said...

wow, you are much stronger than I! Amazing job... hope the butt is starting to feel better!!

Marathoner in Training said...

I knew that I have not posted in a while, but I am catching up quickly and see that you are trading trail shoes for wheels. I am moving to Roanoke, VA and am looking forward to running there. I hear they have a nice short trail there, and they call it AT :)

Unknown said...

Awesome Ride!
That reminds me, I need to get my Ride into the shop to get a squeak fixed before it gets out of hand.

Stuart said...

Awesome with a sweet 6000' of climbing!