You can see from the elevation profile that this is a ride that begins climbing immediately. It's about a 1% grade for the first five miles and then it kicks up to be 7 - 9% for about a mile. I don't why, but once we begin this tougher climb my knees actually feel better.

On these long Sunday rides I'm trying to keep my heart rate below 165. That's about ten beats below my lactate threshhold. I have my HRM set to beep at 166. Keeping my heart rate down makes this climb feel so easy. Once you are over this blip the climb continues for 25 miles at about a 1 - 3% average grade. This is a really pretty area, fairly remote. Thom blathers at me about lots of different things. There are two fairly steep climbs just before the downhill to the Junction. I'm finding it pretty easy to keep my heart rate down even on these climbs. That's good.

We stop only long enough to buy more Gatorade and water and use the rest room. The next 5 five miles are pretty flat and we take turns pulling. There is a fairly steep climb up out of the valley, a nice downhill and then a longer climb with a descent to a one lane bridge. This section is really pleasant with little ponds with ducks and frogs. The bridge takes me a bit by surprise. There is a slight turn into it and I overcook the corner a bit. Those bridge supports are looking kind of big and painful, but I keep my head and don't run into anything.

Thom has decided we're going to eat our sandwiches at the bridge just before the final big climb to the top of Hamilton. I've been very religious about eating every 30 minutes and I don't feel like a sandwich. I eat two bites to make him happy and then start the climb - knowing he'll catch up. This last climb is a bear - average 9% grade over the five miles. I turn off the beeper on my HRM, there's no way I can do this at 165. But I do keep my heart rate around 170 - still below lactate threshhold.

When I get to where where the water stop will be for DMD, I imagine Thom being there, ringing our cowbells as I come in. I think a Red Bull at that point will be welcome. It's about another mile and a half to the summit. Then I start doing the math about what time I will get there. I estimate 12 hours - 5PM.

The summit is gorgeous. We eat a little, use the facilities. Thom has a Coke and I try to drink a little but gag on it. I guess Coke is out.

The five mile descent is fun. I catch up to a motorcycle and he motions for me to pass him. The little climb after the bridge isn't bad. The next one seems to go for forever. We do see a bobcat though. We again rip through the valley, taking turns pulling. We decide we have enough food and water and don't need to stop again at the Junction.

But this first climb out of the Junction is just awful. It's here that I begin to wonder if I'll be able to do DMD. I'm slow, not quite miserable. We're in the shadow of the canyons, so it's a little depressing. I know I've been eating well, I've managed my heart rate, but maybe... I just don't have what it takes.

We stop at the top of this climb. Thom eats half a sandwich, I have a Red Bull and a sandwich bite, use the bushes. It's a short descent here, but cold. The next climb isn't so long and I'm feeling a bit better. But then... I have twenty miles of downhill, average 1 - 3% grade and we are flying. I have NEVER felt so good on this section of the ride before. Thom asks if I want him to take a turn pulling and I tell him no. Drafting requires too much mental energy for me at that point. He says he's happy to draft. There are a few uphills here, but not too many. The final descent is way fun. We average just under 18 for the last 25 miles and I'm hopeful again.

To be continued.