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.