Total Distance: 38.51 miles
Ride Time: 4:02:23 Average Speed:9.5 MPH Max Speed: 37.0 MPH
"If this hill doesn't kill us it will surely break our hearts" Stony Jackson, Heartbreak Ridge.
Well that wasn't my experience today, although it surely could have been. I started the day in Charlottesville (Elevation 594 ft) only planning on going 20 miles or so, as to start climbing Afton mountain fresh tomorrow. However when I got close, I said "Screw it, I can do this" and started the climb. Each foot of the climb up to the Blue Ridge Parkway was agonizing. I literally began to do it 1/10 of a mile at a time. However, during one of my breaks 3/4 of the way up I got passed by Mike (I think), a HS teacher from Houston. Well, we couldn't have that, so I chased him down and talked for a few minutes before letting him pull ahead so I didn't feel the need to keep up with him. It was during that break that I met a few people in a rest stop (Elevation 1825 ft) and talked for a bit (I gave them the blog address, so Hi if you are checking in). After they left I met 3 cyclists heading the other way to stay in Afton. However I decided to push on to Love. So I began climbing again, and it wasn't getting any easier. However, I eventually made it to the Raven's Roost Overlook (Elevation 3300 ft). So for those of you keeping track that is 2706 feet vertically (Just over half a mile). And every excruciating minute of it was worth it, because the decent was amazing. I don't know if the tears were from the 40mph wind hitting my eyes or the pure joy I was feeling but it made every grueling inch disappear from my mind (Almost). After making it to the cabins, I decided to make myself a feast to celebrate ahi tuna, mashed potatoes, a bottle of Snapple, and an oatmeal cream pie for dessert. It all tasted delicious, even if it was Chicken of the Sea and Powdered Mashed potatoes (PS I don't recommend these products on a normal basis, but today was an exception). Well see what tomorrow brings, but I am predicting a short journey because I'm exhausted.
PS: For those keeping tracking I passed the 100 mile mark today.
Ride Time: 4:02:23 Average Speed:9.5 MPH Max Speed: 37.0 MPH
"If this hill doesn't kill us it will surely break our hearts" Stony Jackson, Heartbreak Ridge.
Well that wasn't my experience today, although it surely could have been. I started the day in Charlottesville (Elevation 594 ft) only planning on going 20 miles or so, as to start climbing Afton mountain fresh tomorrow. However when I got close, I said "Screw it, I can do this" and started the climb. Each foot of the climb up to the Blue Ridge Parkway was agonizing. I literally began to do it 1/10 of a mile at a time. However, during one of my breaks 3/4 of the way up I got passed by Mike (I think), a HS teacher from Houston. Well, we couldn't have that, so I chased him down and talked for a few minutes before letting him pull ahead so I didn't feel the need to keep up with him. It was during that break that I met a few people in a rest stop (Elevation 1825 ft) and talked for a bit (I gave them the blog address, so Hi if you are checking in). After they left I met 3 cyclists heading the other way to stay in Afton. However I decided to push on to Love. So I began climbing again, and it wasn't getting any easier. However, I eventually made it to the Raven's Roost Overlook (Elevation 3300 ft). So for those of you keeping track that is 2706 feet vertically (Just over half a mile). And every excruciating minute of it was worth it, because the decent was amazing. I don't know if the tears were from the 40mph wind hitting my eyes or the pure joy I was feeling but it made every grueling inch disappear from my mind (Almost). After making it to the cabins, I decided to make myself a feast to celebrate ahi tuna, mashed potatoes, a bottle of Snapple, and an oatmeal cream pie for dessert. It all tasted delicious, even if it was Chicken of the Sea and Powdered Mashed potatoes (PS I don't recommend these products on a normal basis, but today was an exception). Well see what tomorrow brings, but I am predicting a short journey because I'm exhausted.
PS: For those keeping tracking I passed the 100 mile mark today.
