| Ride Stats |
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Distance:
51.80 miles
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Altitude Gain:
2,224 ft
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Avg Speed:
16.26 mph
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Route:
Holly Fork
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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: 127 bpm
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Terrain: Road: Rolling
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Bike: Look Blade RS 795 Iconic Ltd Road
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Club: Schuyler County Cycling Club |
| Weather Conditions: Sunny 76 F SW wind @ 8 mph |
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Weather has greatly improved by heading south with temperatures back into the seventies. Had a little wind out of the southwest today but it didn't have very much force to it. Modified my Holly Fork route to include the detour for 660 caused by the interstate construction. Also added a couple of sideroads to spend less time on the highways though there still is a few miles of highway riding. Highways sections do have pretty good shoulders or bike lanes except for sections with construction. Couldn't get the program I used to plot a course from the trail through Freedom Park to the Jolly Pond Road since they don't actually connect without going through an elementary school property. Started and finished by going through the park entry road that is great riding but eliminates a twisting climb and adds a couple of miles. Started out with the objective of enjoying the ride as can't really plan on riding hard as the legs are getting pretty unpredictable with my advancing age. Felt pretty good at the start and was actually dreading the first climb out of Cranston Mill Pond gully but it went better than expected. Had a few miles of fairly flat road before crossing the interstate and getting to the premium riding. Did add a side road to stay off SR 60 that added a small climb that was an unexpected plus. Got to the bridge portage section fairly quickly and was bitten by a couple of blood sucking insects as I walked across the abandoned bridge. Once on the Holly Fork Road a few fun climbs are encountered and was climbing well and feeling fine as I passed through them. There are a couple of short steep sections but are really big chainring climbs. My new course only has a mile of riding on Farmers Road that I appreciated as my last ride on that road was quite uncomfortable due to heavy unfriendly traffic and no shoulder. Also added another side road a little later to stay off a highway that turned out to be gravel. The highway actually had a good shoulder so didn't gain much by adding a little over a half mile of dirt road. It wasn't bad and gave a break from the highway, so I'll probably keep riding it. Encountered a few more pleasant climbs after crossing back to the south of the interstate before heading back to the east around a couple of reservoirs. I was climbing one of the hills when a bald eagle snatched a squirrel that was crossing the road as I went by. Saw a shadow in front of me then the eagle passed over my shoulder and snatched the squirrel inches from me. His trajectory put him right in front of me for a few yards as he struggled to gain altitude burdened by the extra weight and stayed over the road. After struggling a bit, he must have got his act together as he suddenly shot up at a high rate of climb and soon disappeared into the trees. Glad he got his timing right as he had to judge both his speed, my speed, and the squirrels speed while being harassed by a crow. I think I would have been seriously injured if he struck me from behind. Got an adrenalin boost as a bonus and made good speed for a few miles. Dreaded another pass through the gully and its eleven percent grade late in the ride, but it wasn't painful just unpleasant. Did finally go into the small chainring for it that helped a little. Turned out to be a fun ride with some beautiful weather, fun climbs and little traffic. Think this will be my new favorite course in the area.
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