MudNCrud Forums
Out'n about... just not Climbing => Biking => Topic started by: mudworm on February 10, 2008, 10:33:29 PM
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We didn't think that we would make the ride -- we slept in too late in the morning and we are expecting guests in the afternoon. Oh, too bad, I guess we'll just have to relax at home then. :)
At noon Catherine called and said that the kids got sick, so they couldn't make it. There was no excuse for us no more; guess we'll have to do it. :(
I got a little nervous on our way. I have read too much online about how steep the climb (Sierra Road) is. I still remember how I tipped over once in our neigherbood last year because my bike stopped moving on the uphill road and I couldn't get my feet out. :-[
We first drove over to the start of the climb (Sierra Road and Piedmont Rd). We were immediately greeted by a steep uphill. Oh boy, what are we getting ourselvels into. We parked our car at Piedmont Rd and Calaveras Rd so we could ride about 3 miles, for a warmup, to the climb. The climb only came too soon. I was glad that I didn't tip over this time. It was 3.70 miles of uphill (on my GPS) gaining 1823 feet. Surprisingly, it felt more manageable than I had expected. There were sections where even at the lowest gear, I had to push hard on the pedals and pull hard on the handle bars to get the bike moving forward, but they were separated by sections of lesser gradients where I was able to catch my breaths and lower my heart rate. I had 34'37" on my GPS when I reached the summit. For that I gave myself a good pat on the back. :D
(http://www.mudncrud.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=10259&g2_serialNumber=1)
The loop (counter clockwise). The climb starts as soon as we turn off Piedmont.
(http://www.mudncrud.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=10262&g2_serialNumber=1)
Elevation profile for the whole loop. You won't miss the Sierra Road climb in this profile.
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Hi mudworm, I heard that you are doing the King of the Mountian this Saturday. I am going to be there and I will try and make it to the top. I will keep an eye out for you.
Delbomber
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Nice report, mudworm! How did Mr. Mud hold up?
I'm hoping for Mount Hamilton next Wednesday. Hopefully the weather will cooperate so I can go watch the stage of the Tour Of California coming over the top. :)
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King of the Mountain? I thought I signed up for Kueen of the Mountain. Yes, I'll be there. I look forward to running red lights not having to worry about getting a ticket -- a police escort, woohoo! :D Delbomber, there is no try, do it. I know you can, and I can too, reach the top with no problem. I just hope I can better my own PR. Will see ya on the ride!
F'ueco, Mud and I crisscrossed a bit on the climb. In the end... let's just say... he let me pull ahead a little bit... just a little. Oh, I'd like to watch ToC some day too, but not enough for me to take a day off for it. Are you watching the prologue on Sunday? I'd like to watch, but I think I'll opt to go climbing instead.
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I will be watching...
And you can always go to Monday's stage up in Sausalito... Love the 3-day weekends!
I simply have to watch a mountain stage. Seeing riders suffering up the last little bit of Hamilton sounds like fun...
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:sigh: Not everyone gets Monday off. :(
I read somewhere that Sierra Road is a better place to watch the mountain stage of ToC.
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I hung off the back of mudworms rear wheel for most of the climb. I then managed to get the pass. I held that until the flat section just before the top. I stopped pedalling and mudworm put the hammer down got a bit of a draft and swung past. A nice move all in all. Was not able to real her in. She was definitely a bit more fresh than I at the top.
felt good staying in her mirror the whole way.
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:sigh: Not everyone gets Monday off. :(
I read somewhere that Sierra Road is a better place to watch the mountain stage of ToC.
I translate that as easier to get to... I want the observatory in my pictures. ;)