| Ride Stats |
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Distance:
50.01 miles
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Altitude Gain:
4,655 ft
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Avg Speed:
15.36 mph
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Route:
Silverrun Cheaha
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Avg Grade: 131 %
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Max Grade: 167 %
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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: Partly Cloudy 55 F N wind @ 12 mph |
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Was looking forward to my first of the two mountain stages of my southern tour. Weather was decent as it appeared I was finally out of the wet system that has plagued me for the last few days. Started out in Oxford and had a fifteen mile flat ride to the base of the climb. Sun was warm and wind was at my back as I pedaled out. Missed a turn somewhere along the way but having ridden this course a number of times I recognized the roads as had missed the same turn on a few occasions. Got back on course and saw the next turn was guarded by a large mangy dog. Sprinted by the beast and figured I'd rather get a couple extra miles in rather than try my luck with the dog that radiated meanness. Paid for my cowardice with an extra two or three miles of pleasant flatland. Made the turn and started up the eleven mile climb to the top of the mountain. Climb up the southwestern approach is gradual with just two or three steep steps before the final portion of the climb that is a couple of miles at eight percent. Hit the first step and was reintroduced to the pain of the climb. My stomach tightened up, my back hurt, the legs got rubbery, and the head started getting a little faint. Seems my days of embracing the climbs are behind me as I suffered over the first hurdle. Was a little worried it was going to be a long day, but I seemed to recover quickly and actually climbed well the to the top of the climb. Did some pain over a couple of eighteen percent grade steps but the pain was less than the first set and seemed to manage it better. Enjoyed the twisting climb until I finally saw the final climb and the peak when I again got a little nervous as it looked quite a bit steeper than I remembered it. Kept barely on top of a good gear and kept a strong pace and got over the top without breaking. Wasn't a great climb but felt good about the first real climb of the year. Flew down the back side with speeds in the fifties. Hardest part of the day was still to come though as the descent has a series of cursed rollers. When you see them coming down off the mountain, you think you will roll up them with no problem. Unfortunately it is not so easy to roll up a quarter mile long twenty percent grade. Did some work to get over these. Tried to do one of them in the big chain ring but ended up nursing over the top in the granny gear instead. Once the rollers were defeated, it was a fast return back to Oxford on a gradual descent. Ended up with fifty miles and four thousand feet of climbing. Felt I climbed fairly well today for a fat guy when it was all over.
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