mount everest of north american cycling
i just got home from a grueling day of cycling. it was fun, but remember i just started riding 4 weeks ago today.
as i had hinted earlier, today was going to be the high point of my cycling career, and it literally was.
5:15am: i woke up and made some oatmeal for my dad and myself.
6am: we were headed into the rocky mountains.
8am: we set off from idaho springs, colorado (elevation - 7,524 feet) headed up mount evans scenic byway. the first six miles were moderately flat and were somewhat difficult as we were still warming up. the first switchback was fun, but it left my dad behind for the rest of the ride. the ride continued through the trees for 7 miles from the first switchback to echo lake. it had taken me long to get there, but it was alright because i just wanted to finish.
i had to pay a $3 toll for riding my bike the rest of the way, and i headed out from echo lake. again i was riding through some trees until i hit timberline. timberline was fun riding past, but now i could see a lot farther. i winded around some mountains and came to summit lake. 5 miles to go to the peak of mount evans. the wind was cold and i had to put some arm warmers on while i was riding. it was tricky, but i managed.
i hit some more switchbacks, which were draining. i finally hit the summit closing the hardest ride of my career, and the highest ride of most people's careers.
mount evans is the highest paved road in north america.
distance: 28 miles
starting elevation: 7,524 feet
ending elevation: 14,258 feet
starting temperature: 50 degrees farenheit
ending temperature: 19 degrees farenheit windchill (according to the ranger station)
average speed: 8.6 mph
total time: 3:19:47
course map and profile
as i had hinted earlier, today was going to be the high point of my cycling career, and it literally was.
5:15am: i woke up and made some oatmeal for my dad and myself.
6am: we were headed into the rocky mountains.
8am: we set off from idaho springs, colorado (elevation - 7,524 feet) headed up mount evans scenic byway. the first six miles were moderately flat and were somewhat difficult as we were still warming up. the first switchback was fun, but it left my dad behind for the rest of the ride. the ride continued through the trees for 7 miles from the first switchback to echo lake. it had taken me long to get there, but it was alright because i just wanted to finish.
i had to pay a $3 toll for riding my bike the rest of the way, and i headed out from echo lake. again i was riding through some trees until i hit timberline. timberline was fun riding past, but now i could see a lot farther. i winded around some mountains and came to summit lake. 5 miles to go to the peak of mount evans. the wind was cold and i had to put some arm warmers on while i was riding. it was tricky, but i managed.
i hit some more switchbacks, which were draining. i finally hit the summit closing the hardest ride of my career, and the highest ride of most people's careers.
mount evans is the highest paved road in north america.
distance: 28 miles
starting elevation: 7,524 feet
ending elevation: 14,258 feet
starting temperature: 50 degrees farenheit
ending temperature: 19 degrees farenheit windchill (according to the ranger station)
average speed: 8.6 mph
total time: 3:19:47
course map and profile
2 comments:
that's impressive...you are going to put my meager calves to shame!
test b: positive. leave it to a pennsylvanian.
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