Before and after weight loss climb (videos & pics)

[luv2climb]

I had a fun-filled Sunday on Donner Summit. I went up there to shoot video of the riders in the Donner Summit Time Trial. This year there were a couple tandems, which I didn't see last year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRtN2mcPYHk

After watching the racers suffer, I had to do some suffering of my own (of course!). I descended and climbed back up. I was hoping to be able to do this 3 mile climb in 30 minutes or less, and I did it in approximately 29:50, in spite of the stubborn 20 pounds that just won't come off. According to this site, "A commendable goal for the 3-mile climb is under 30 minutes". Of course, if you look at the results of this year's time trial, the slowest person climbed it in 28:16. But I'm not racing and I still have weight to lose, so I'm not gonna complain about my ride. Especially since I didn't feel very strong on the first part of the climb.

Unfortunately my ContourHD helmet camera died permanently this time. It couldn't be turned off, requiring a battery pull. When I put the battery back in it wouldn't turn on, in spite of following the advice in Contour's FAQ and doing a reset. I felt like throwing the damn thing off a cliff, but hopefully their support can get me a working camera.

Since I believe in being prepared for crap like that, I brought other cameras with me. That means it's back to the handlebar-mounted digital camera for the two climb videos. This means louder breathing, so be forewarned!

Donner Pass Road climb
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUrtap22pAY

After going over the other side of the mountain and climbing back up the west side for the second time, my friend filmed my descent to Donner Lake with a camcorder mounted on the moonroof of his Honda Ridgeline. Since the audio was 100% wind noise, I added music but left just enough of the raw audio for effect.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdbwxY3y-Sk

I continued down Donner Pass Road to Northwoods Blvd for the final steep, painful climb of the day. It's short, but it's a good one!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bMgNHyvMQI

Here's the video from last year's climb up Donner Pass Road. I weighed approximately 40 pounds more when I did this climb (approximately 185 lbs). It took over 7 minutes longer to climb this back then too. This video is on the channel of my good friend mrRhwalden, who went up with me this year too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxVv2HR7XgA

Garmin Connect data from this year's climb: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/110211931

Garmin Connect data from last year's climb: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/45882017

I climbed up the rocks near the summit to get this pic.


Panorama shots made from several photos stitched together in friend's camera





3 riders climbing up


After finishing the climb up Donner Pass Road


Top of Northwoods Blvd in Truckee


Somebody had a little fun with the rocks on the west side of Donner Pass Road near the summit.

[bellissima]

What an awesome looking climb!

[luv2climb]

It is my favorite climb. I love the scenery. It's a climber's paradise, as I see lots of cyclists, rock climbers, and hikers climbing things up there every time I go.

[MichelleOH]

So pretty! Congrats in beating your goal time. I love the rock people.

[bellissima]

Keep up the climbing

[lawnchick22]

Beautiful pics...thanks for sharing.