Ride Stats |
Distance:
44.43 miles
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Altitude Gain:
101,160 ft
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Avg Speed:
16.71 mph
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Route:
Mechlenberg Reverse
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Avg Grade: 149 %
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Max Grade: 169 %
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Max HR: 0 bpm
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Avg HR: 0 bpm
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Terrain: Road: Hills
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Bike: Look 585 Carbon Road
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Club: Schuyler County Cycling Club |
Weather Conditions: Sunny 76 F S wind @ 10 mph |
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Mighty Young Joe stopped by for a ride as he was in town to watch his boy play soccer a little later in the day. Since there were two of us it made for one of my few group rides of the year albeit a very small group. Plan was to do the thirty-ish mile Mechlanberg route then add a Johnson Hollow loop on if enough light remained. We started up Old Odessa hill out of the saddle and I gave in early as didn't want to destroy my weak body right off the bat. Once the steep section was out of the way I was able to get a good spin going and held the gap I had lost early but was unable or unwilling to take up any slack. We rode together and chatted at a moderate pace until we reached the top of the grade near Cooley Camp where Joe put the hammer down and took the speed into the low thirties aided by a tailwind. I had to dig a little to hold his wheel until the terrain started trending down when I was able to settle into the draft and sit in comfortably. He pulled two or three miles and then looked for me to take a pull, but I surrendered since there were still two more hills to climb. We rode together until Mechlanberg where we hit the next climb. He again took off out of the saddle while I stayed sitting and spun it out. Unlike the previous climb his gap kept increasing even after the slope got gentler. After the climb we regrouped for the ride to Bennettsburg and then the fast descent into Watkins. Next climb was up Old Odessa and I was able to stay with Joe on the steep section but at the expense of pushing my heart rate above one hundred percent. I backed off on the milder slope and he pulled away for the third time today. Got dropped once more a few miles later on a small upgrade as my body paid the tab for exceeding my capacity on the climb. Legs felt empty and lost my spin. Filled my stomach with my remaining water and recovered a bit. Last twelve miles was downhill with a tailwind and we cruised a a good clip to the finish. Had a good time despite the poor climbing. Smelled the grapes for the first time in Burdett this year and the aroma always enhances a ride.
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