Mount Diablo Time Trial

[Veronica]

The brevet's game plan is to keep the HR between 165 and 175. That's pushing it up higher than I have on doubles in the past. The course looks to me to be the first 65 miles of the Davis Double and then return, so I'm just hoping to have a higher average speed than I did on Davis.

We did this brevet on the tandem a few years ago.

V.

[deedolce]

Deedolce, I'm sure we'll do another TE climb of MD soon, c'mon out and ride with us. should we do one before Cindysue leaves (temporarily I'm sure) the bay?

Ack!! Tempted, in a crazy, insane kind of way. As if I'd even make it 1/4 of the way up without my heart rate going through the roof!!

I suck, but I do love to climb. Yeah. Me, in the turtle group, bringing up the rear! I haven't done any hills this summer.

But seriously, let me know when you all decide to attack MD sometime.

How many miles is that ride?

dee

[extra-vert]

I'd be curious to know about an MD ride as well!

[Veronica]

So glad I posted about this ride back in 2006. My laptop was stolen a couple of months later so I don't have much data for rhe ride, just what I wrote here and what's in my Bike Journal log.

Anyway... I am so close to beating my PB time to the Junction. Okay, so I'm within two minutes. But when I set the PB in 2006, I had more than 4,000 miles on my bike for the year. I'd done 3 double centuries and a self supported tour of Nova Scotia pulling a 50 pound BOB trailer. So to be at all close to it, when I have less than 90 miles on my bike for the year, is pretty exciting!

I think that 50 minute time is going DOWN!

Veronica

[spokewench]

Today I had my own personal race up the mountain. The object was to go as hard as I could and not use my very lowest gear at all, not even on the 17% at the end.

First some stats about Diablo. The first 6.5 miles climb 1785 feet at an average grade of 5.1%.

The second section is 4.6 miles long, climbs 1605 feet at an average grade of 6.6%.

I have in my head that my previous personal best up the mountain was around 1:50. I was hoping today to bring it down to 1:40. I haven't ridden up the mountain in awhile, but I know my fitness has improved since last time.

I did the first 6.5 miles in 50 minutes. I was thrilled with that. Normally people stop at this point and take a breather. No stopping for me today. A couple of riders pulled out ahead of me here and as I passed them, they asked me for a tow rope. WooHoo!!! I'm usually the one doing the asking.

The second section I rode for about a mile with someone who did Knoxville, the ride I volunteered at last week. It was nice to have someone to chat with, through the section that I personally find the most difficult. It's one of those places that doesn't look especially steep, but is.

I had a guy pass me and he said that he also had a Rivendell, but he thought it was too heavy to use for climbing Diablo.

When I arrived at the parking lot just below the summit, I rode around the parking lot for a minute, letting my HR drop. This is where the grade kicks up to 17%. It was so hard to not go down to my littlest gear. I thought I was going to die. My heart rate went from 174 to 192. But I stuck with it. It took me nearly 47 minutes to do this section, including my little break.

Total time from the gate to the summit 1:37! Holy moly! Thom tells me I'm an animal. Yes!!!!!!

Things I learned today, My tested lactate threshhold 3 years ago was between 173 and 179. I think I've changed that. It's now up above 180, as my HR average was 180 for the first section, 183 for the second. And I was able to talk with it that high. But if I stayed above 185 for very long I felt pukey, and the 17% at 192 was NOT pretty.

I am so pleased with how much faster I've gotten. It will be interesting to see how the lighter bike will affect my time.

V.

That is an awesome time up the mountain! I used to do the Mt. Diablo race every year when I lived in Cal; even have a couple of jerseys to show for it. It is a toughy.

[jobob]

Well done V!

Hee hee, you & I are at opposite ends of the spectrum nowadays. My time trial route of sorts is the climb up Palomares Road, from Niles Canyon Road (Rt 84) to the summit.

Back in my borderline semi-studly days a couple of years back, when I had visions of double centuries dancing in my head , my best time was a hair under 32 minutes and I was hoping to break 30 minutes eventually if not sooner.

I thought for sure I would break through the mythical (to me) 30 minute barrier last summer while I was training for the Death Ride, but then stuff happened and well, said goal was not going to happen last year.

This past Saturday I went out on a moderately hilly ride, and while heading up Palomares just for yuks I timed myself. I knew it wasn't going to be pretty and heck, I was saving myself because I had more climbs to go (heh, that's my excuse ).

It took me 44 minutes. Granted, I didn't push myself, but sheeee-it.

Eh, it's a stake in the ground. Hopefully I'll be seeing plenty of improvement over the coming weeks.

[maillotpois]

Good job, V! Fun to see such improvement.

Jo, you'll get there. Like you said, it's just a marker of where you are now.

And I am completely computer free once more since my brand spanking new Garmin was of course on my bike when it was stolen. Grr! So I am not keeping track of anything.... til I get my new bike.

[Veronica]

Yep, what MP said Jo. You'll get back to that place. Heck, it's taken me four years to even THINK I might be able to get close to my record again.

Veronica