Unsupported Middle-Of-Nowhere Mountain Metric
Yesterday I did an unsupported metric century in the middle of nowhere through the Sierra Nevada mountains with a group of 13 strangers (I knew the LBS owner, but that's it!)...and I was the only woman! I had a blast! :D:D:D
Our starting and ending locations were about 30 miles apart, so we figured out the carpooling and took off. The total climb was somewhere between 5,000-5,500 feet. Our start was at about 3,200 feet, our top elevation was 6,100, and we ended at 800. Lots of ups and down in between gave us the extra climbing. Not sure what the grade percentages were, but several times I was grinding away in my granny gear at under 4.5 mph for miles at a stretch.
We began with a steady unrelenting 7 mile climb. A good warm up. Then we came to a little mountain resort/store and picked up a few snacks and some water. The next services would be about 45 miles ahead, but we thought we'd planned a reliable water stop, so we felt prepared.
We flew through the woods on some great decents, climbed a few more hills, and found a pipe coming out of the mountain with spring water (I was too chicken to drink it...with my luck, I'd get Giardia). I wish I'd taken my camera...the vistas of the Sierras were incredible. Then we faced a huge mountain which I must admit was not fun to climb. However, we were rewarded with an exceptional decent. Thank you, US Forest Service, for maintaining your roads and for the lovely pavement! Nothing like a screaming decent to help you forget a grueling climb.
Several more miles through the forest and our next re-grouping spot was a little reservior. We pulled into the boat ramp parking lot and discovered to our horror that there was no drinking water. Luckily one guy brought a portable water filter/pump, so those of us who were bone dry (like me) were able to hike down to the low water line and get a little water. Not sure I'd recommend cycling shoes for hiking down a steep rocky lake bed though. Then we took off towards an interesting part of our County that is kind of renowned as "redneck territory" :eek: It's kind of a unique isolated back-woodsy community. We stopped at a rather scary roadside bar in the middle of nowhere to get water. I expected the theme from Deliverance to start up at any time. We got some funny looks when we went inside, but the ice water was great.
Then it was time to work our way to the end of our ride. A few more little climbs and we arrived in an historic little town. A few great downhill miles and then the worst, longest, most painful and tortuous decent I've ever ridden. Narrow road, super steep, curves, bad pavement...time for some serious brake management. My hands have never felt such pain. I was panicking...what if I lost my brakes? What if I heated up my rims and they blew out? What if my fingers just decided no more squeezing those brake levers? But I made it.
Then just another mile or so and we were done. Sat outside at a great little pizza place and waited for the rest of the group. Everyone made it and only one person seemed completely miserable at the end. I was so proud of myself not being the last one in. I guess the only reason I kept up was because the main group kept stopping to rest and re-group. I rode with the group some, but mostly I was on my own because they'd drop me on the hills. But I'd catch up when they stopped to rest and start riding with them again. I guess this means they got more rest time than I did!
So...I have decided I am a stud muffin. The only girl on a crazy ride through the Sierras. :D
Here are a couple of pictures of the area where we were riding. This is from a few years ago, but it still looks the same.
