| Ride Stats |
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Distance:
104.96 miles
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Altitude Gain:
8,943 ft
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Avg Speed:
14.79 mph
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Route:
Sequatchie 3 Mtn Century
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Avg Grade: 0 %
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Max Grade: 0 %
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Max HR: 154 bpm
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Avg HR: 123 bpm
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Terrain: Road: Steep
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Bike: Look Blade RS 795 Iconic Ltd Road
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Club: Schuyler County Cycling Club |
| Weather Conditions: Sunny 81 F N wind @ 4 mph |
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Ended up in Dunlap Tennessee today for another mountain century. Didn't have to get up early as Dunlap is in the cental time zone, and my motel was in the eastern zone so got an extra hour to get there. This century only has three mountain climbs where the GA one done on Sunday had six. The basic course was a ride up the valley and back on rolling terrain with four thousand feet of rolling climbs. There are three mountain climbs offered as options that add twenty-five miles and another forty-five hundred feet of climbing. Not sure how many riders were there but probably around one-hundred and fifty. Starting lineup was different than GA also as instead of piling over each other for a good position the front group was sparse. Ride did start fast though after a police escort out of town. Front pack developed quickly on a couple of small climbs out of town and numbered about thirty-five riders. Pack dissolved at four miles out as the valley riders split from the first optional climb. I had survived staying with the front pack but was quickly dropped by the twelve or fifteen riders that opted for the climb. The climb was five or six miles long and gained about eighteen-hundred feet. Road surface was broken, and route was twisting and steep especially around the sharp corners. I did get passed by two or three riders that didn't make the initial starting pace, but I was riding conservatively as had little idea of the climb ahead and worked mostly in the granny gear. Still a mile from the top I was starting to encountered riders coming back down the climb. I stopped at a campground and hang glider launch point at the top and got some pictures. Several riders were lingering at the top waiting for teammates and friends to arrive. Having neither I descended the mountain alone. I went very slow down as the road surface was so poor and had no desire to trash a wheel or crash. The ride to the start of the first climb was the only time I rode with a group over in the ride. I would see riders on the climbs but once on the valley route it was a solo effort. Second climb was only about five miles from the first. This climb was brutal as although it was over three miles long the climbing was mostly in the first two miles that had eleven hundred feet of climbing before slackening to easier grades over the last mile. After climbing for a mile at sixteen to eighteen percent there would be short sections of twenty percent. My mind was trying to convince me to put a foot down on some of the steep stuff as it might be easier to walk, but I persevered and got over it. I was passed by two riders that went rapidly by me standing up on and hammering. I just was surviving. Only saw three or four riders coming down the mountain as I rose, but they were probably over a half hour ahead of me by that time. Stopped and chatted with some riders at the top before another slow descent. I did pass a few riders that were ascending, and a couple had dismounted on the steeper sections. Stopped at the rest stop before stating the next sixty miles of valley section before the third and final climb. I did pass a couple of riders including one of the ones that had hammered by me on the second hill, but he couldn't or chose not to ride on my wheel. The rolling valley section was good riding as it had good surfaces, low traffic and good views of the surrounding mountains. Third and final climb came at around the ninety-mile mark and turned out to be a civilized climb. It still had seventeen hundred feet of climbing, but the slope rarely varied from seven or eight percent. I passed a couple riders on the climb that had dismounted and found out later they abandoned the climb and returned to the finish. Descended the mountain at a good rate as this road had a good surface. This ride actually passed over the mountain and down the other side as the other two climbs appeared to made just to get to the top and end. Saw a couple more riders walking up as I descended. Had to ride a few more miles to the finish but it was mostly downhill. Climbed better today than on Sunday although the first two climbs were more difficult. Average speed turned out to be quite low, but I think that was mostly caused by having to go slowly and cautiously on the descents. Ended the day in fairly good shape. It was a fun ride overall although there was ample opportunity to suffer on the climbs. The promoters were very friendly, and the rest stops were well stocked. I might have gained some weight on this ride.
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