Monday, June 25, 2012

Blooded, Sweaty and low geared!!

Yesterday I rode the Blood, Sweat and Gears Century ride from lovely Valle Cruces, NC. Billed as a 'strenuous century ride' it was by far the hardest ride I have completed.

This was my third ever century, all of them completed this year. My first was in April in Charleston on a fairly flat route which I rode in 5:08:09 for the 103.52 miles. This gave me the confidence to tackle my second, the San Diego Century in May, a much hillier course, which I completed in 7:08:31 for its 105 mile route. Total climbing was just under 6,000 ft for the ride.

So brimming with confidence I took on the Blood, Sweat and Gears course. This race is extremely popular and all 750 spots for the century were sold in less than 7 hours. We started in damp, foggy conditions and the start was a zoo! 750 riders all bunched up trying to get through the chute and over the timing mats. Unscathed I got underway, the first 4 miles were easy, gently rolling hills then we had our first significant climb, a 6 mile ascent up Shulls Mill Rd which really got me warmed up . The next 15 miles were quite hilly and I registered just over 3,000 ft at the first rest stop at mile 25, so far so good. The next 32 miles were a mix of hills and some flats and by mile 57 I had registered over 6,100 ft of climbing. Then the ride really got hilly!!


First rest stop at 25 mile mark on the Blue Ridge Parkway

First up was the 5 mile ascent up snake mountain. The first 4 miles were fairly easy but the last mile was brutal with long stretches of 18-20% grade! I saw dozens of cyclists walking up the hill. Somehow I didn't let the Snake bite me and I made it up, even though I was barely averaging 3mph up to the summit! After a fun downhill the next 20 miles were fairly uneventful but quite beautiful. Next up was the ascent up George's Gap, a long , steep, winding road that was very tough coming after an already grueling 82 miles. Somehow I made it up George's and two more climbs and finally crossed the finish line.

My official chip time was 7:08:19 for 100.27 miles and 12,434 ft of climbing. I was exhausted but elated and enjoyed a fine celebration that night.

Amazingly, the race winner's time was 4:52:20, to average over 20mph on that course is just incredible!!


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Thursday, June 21, 2012

One more mountain to climb

With all the excitement of my upcoming trip to France, I had conveniently forgotten about one last hurdle that I must surmount this weekend, the infamous Blood, Sweat and Gears Century bike ride (102 miles). http://www.bloodsweatandgears.org/
I successfully completed the 50 mile ride last year and am not entirely sure why I signed up for the 100 this year but c'est la vie! I'm going to nip up to Valle Crucis today and drive the route, trying hard not to psych myself out.



Coming home in last year's BSG 50 miler



Wednesday, June 20, 2012

T minus 14 days

Excitement levels are building as I get closer to take off. The euphoria has been heightened this week by the arrival of a number of items that I have purchased. This includes my new Biknd Helium bike travel case which I hope will get my Cervélo to France in one piece, my new French cellphone, some maps and a lovely little guidebook, Provence Byways, that is filled will essential information and tips for travel to the Luberon. Roll on July 4th!!!