57 miles, 4500 feet of climb

[Veronica]

I have not ridden this far or done so much climbing in a very long time. We had beautiful weather for a longish ride. I don't think it ever hit 80 and was a bit overcast. I was actually a little cold on the first climb and my knees were a bit unhappy about that. We stopped at a general store in Clayton, about halfway through, and I got a bag of pretzel M&Ms. The short, little descent before the second climb is pretty bumpy and I was sad that some of them popped out of my bento box. At the start I wasn't sure I could do this ride. I thought really hard about bagging it at end of the first climb. Thom suggested I at least ride to the start of the second climb because from there it's a pretty easy 13 miles back to our house. I'd have to ride it alone while he did the climb and went back to the car. I'm glad I decided to stick it out and do the second climb with him. It was hard. Overall the climb is about a 6% grade, but there are a couple of places were it kicks up. My legs never got super tired. I know they are super strong from all the work I do with my trainer. But my back and butt got tired! There is really no substitute for climbing time on the bike.

I'm glad I did it. I have more endurance than I thought I did.

Veronica

[Crankin]

Glad you stuck it out. You are right, there is no substitute for climbing time on the bike.
I did a ride like that last season. The elevation was spaced differently, but I was crying by the end.
I did it, though.

[maillotpois]

That looks like DMD training to me....

[Veronica]

Better than that - Haleakala during Spring Break.

Veronica

[maillotpois]

Awesome!