September 28 Rides

[Skierchickie]

I'm pumped. DH & I did a section of the 120 miler I did last weekend. Even though I SWORE I'd never do that section again, I really needed to know what % grade it was, and DH's computer has an inclinometer. We started in Eagle Harbor, up to Copper Harbor (into about a 50-55 degree headwind), turned around & headed back, but over Brockway Mountain Drive. Not a real mountain - wouldn't want to insult those of you who live in the actual mountains. Anyway, this road is 9 miles long, and all the climbing is in the first few.

The steepest section turned out to 17% - it turns out that is pretty darn steep on a standard double! We both have 53/39 in front, and 12-25 in the rear. The next section was 15%, with several more climbs after that. After a while the 7-8% ones felt pretty easy. I think 12% or so is the steepest I've been climbing this summer, and this is way harder.

It was cool - there is a little tourist overlook at the top, and there were lots of people out enjoying the fall colors. A guy standing there with his family pointed us out to his 2 little girls, and they asked us questions about which side we came up (we were on the way-steeper side), if it was really hard, why we did it (I said it was to see if we could), etc. Hopefully they'll be motivated to become cyclists in the future (okay, so if they're 6-ish now, they won't remember this when the day comes. I like to dream of motivating kids, anyway.

Oh - I forgot. About 1500 feet of climbing for 29 miles of the ride. I did 35 miles - I did an extra 7, riding to the next park, and DH picked me up there.