| Ride Stats |
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Distance:
31.44 miles
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Altitude Gain:
3,118 ft
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Avg Speed:
12.34 mph
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Route:
Ft Davis-McDonald
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Avg Grade: 149 %
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Max Grade: 172 %
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Max HR: 0 bpm
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Avg HR: 0 bpm
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Terrain: Road: Steep
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Bike: Look 585 Carbon Road
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Club: Schuyler County Cycling Club |
| Weather Conditions: Sunny 60 F W wind @ 12 mph |
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Made the climb from Fort Davis to the McDonald Observatory today. Thought I would start off easy, my first day in the mountains, since it was only sixteen miles to the observatory. First ten miles was in fact quite easy as the slope was fairly gentle with only an occasional eight to ten percent step. Thought I was going to be disappointed as I had only gained eight hundred feet in those first few miles. Once I did get over the mile high point which wasn't to hard since the ride started at 4700', the grade started getting much more challenging. Did roll into the visitor center at thirteen miles a little tired after hitting an extended stretch of thirteen percent grade. Knew I was in for some pain when I passed the sign stating the road was closed to RVs due to steep grades. Then I found that the observatory was actually on two separate peaks and so to complete the challenge I would have to climb two steep sections. First one was dreadfully painful as I maxed my heart rate and ran out of lower gears. Suffered up one section of sixteen percent and crept along at minimum speed with all pretense of climbing well having disappeared. Crested the hill and enjoyed the view and took a little breather. Then it was a quick descent and a repeat of the suffering on the next hill with seventeen percent grade. Really strained the body on the ascent. Didn't know whether I would fall over first or that my heart would burst and then I would fall over. Successfully finished the climb with no reserves left and after a brief rest coasted back to the start. Descent had several good twisty turns but a strong crosswind kept the speeds down. Really didn't have much desire to push the speed anyway. Had some terrific scenery on the way down. Overall a pretty tough day and I found myself to out of shape to really appreciate the terrain.
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