Climbing Club - August

[GLC1968]

This is the description on the website:

The Six Gap Century

This ultra challenging route takes you up and down six of the steepest climbs in the North Georgia Mountains. Test your stamina with more than 10,700 feet of vertical climbing over the 100 mile course. Elevations for the six gaps in this ride range from 2,949 feet to 3,490 feet. The toughest climb, Hogpen Gap, will test even the strongest riders, averaging a 7% grade for seven miles, with sections as steep as 15%.

I haven't been able to find a profile of it...but I've seen it on t-shirts and it's scary. 6 climbs...one after the other...and the one they mention above (Hogpen, nicknamed HogPain) is the 4th climb.

I've heard a ton of mixed reviews about how difficult it is. The only people who's opinion I trust (because they did some climbing rides with me) said that I shouldn't have too much trouble. I don't know though...it still makes me super nervous. I've got a 30-27...so I should be ok. DH has a 28-29...and he gives me a hard time for needing to rest.

I guess that ultimately, my goal would be to finish the ride and to not hate every minute of it.

[Starfish]

I guess that ultimately, my goal would be to finish the ride and to not hate every minute of it.

That does sound like a challenging ride! But, trust your friends you have ridden with.

One thing that helped me a lot this year was reading something Chris Carmichael wrote about selecting goals. He said that you should set several goals, and put them in an order so that there is a hierarchy.

After reading his goal setting chapter in his book (I'm getting old...can't remember the name...is it The Ultimate Ride?), I very purposely set my goals in this order:

1) Maintain a positive attitude and have fun.
2) Set a PB for elevation gained.
3) Finish the century route.

I wanted my first goal to be something I could control. I couldn't control a lot of things (weather, mechanicals, etc), but I could control my attitude.

The second goal I chose because it would still give me a feeling of accomplishment, but even if I wasn't fast enough to finish the course, I still had a shot at setting this PB.

Finally, I knew that, even though I am a very slow rider, if everything came together for the perfect day, this goal would be in reach.

So, I set goals that covered the spectrum...from one I could keep even if the whole day fell apart, to one I could just barely reach, if everything all came together.

Your ride does sound tough! But, just imagine (and I mean truly visualize and imagine), how you will feel about yourself when you're done!

(One final note...you absolutely have to ride your own ride, especially not your DH's. It was humbling to my ego early in the ride to pace myself, even on the flats, while rider after rider zoomed by me...and also later in the day when I was climbing at 3mph, concentrating on keeping my tires on the white line and just breathing, rather than staggering around. But, slow & steady won the day for me. I met my goals.)

[crazycanuck]

k..I'm in & want to share my hill with you...

Mount Street is on the last half of my ride & will aim to do it twice a week..

Length of Mount St – past bridge to top (cliff st): 280m

Height at bottom: 15m

Height at top: 50m

Difference: 35m

% Gradient = 35/280*100 = 12.5%

I made it up the other day without stopping

It's the hilliest thing i can find on my weekday rides..

C

[RolliePollie]

Nothing terribly exciting on the climbing front, but I am pretty proud of myself tonight, so I just have to post this!

I just surpassed 1,500 miles!!! When I started riding in February, I never would've guessed I'd be at 1,500 miles by August. Pat-on-back for self.

[Starfish]

Pat-on-back for self.

BIG pat!!! And, we all have been seeing that a lot of those miles have been climbing miles. Nice job, Sara!!

[jobob]

Today I rode the Tour de Max, almost 7000 ft in 70 miles. Booyah!

Still not Starfish Level though.

[Trekhawk]

Today I rode the Tour de Max, almost 7000 ft in 70 miles. Booyah!

Still not Starfish Level though.

Woohoo!!!
Well done jobob.

[Veronica]

Today I rode the Tour de Max, almost 7000 ft in 70 miles. Booyah!

Remember two years ago - Tunitas Creek.
Remember when Nemesis was wicked hard.
Remember when you thought you'd never exceed the speed limit on the trail.

Keep on truckin' Jo.

V.

[Starfish]

Still not Starfish Level though.

Just tell V you are committed to some ride, and then tell her she has permission to get tough. One day I will come down and we will struggle along in her wake together! LOL