A-HA! So, THAT’S what an 18% grade feels like.
Saturday, March 1st, 2008D and I rode with the BBKings today. Only 30 miles, but MAN, it kicked my ASS… We started at the Commons in Calabassas. Then to Topanga-Old Topanga-Fernwood-Tuna Canyon-Piuma-Cold Canyon-Mulholland and back… It took us 4 hours… Only 30 miles, but 4000+ feet of climbing. Climbing through the fog, the cold, and eventually through the clouds since we climbed up to the low clouds. When we finally made it to the top of Piuma, there was no visibility, and we were soaking wet, or as D would say, “I feel like I just jumped in the ocean.” Everything was soaking wet (good thing I didn’t wash my bike), including my short, helmet, jacket, hair, gloves, you name it. Kinda fun, riding in the semi-rain. Turi and Linda was at the ride too, so I was also yelling out “Madonna Santa” all the way up Fernwood and Piuma.
Today’s ride was the most climbing that I’d done in such a short amount of distance. At one point, Rod commented, “This is what we call 18 degree climb.” A-HA! So, THAT’S what an 18 degree climb feels like. I was really pushing it up the hill at 3 mph at some points, and almost fell over. I need a compact crank set… urgg….
So now, the dilemma is whether to upgrade to a full carbon bike altogether or to switch out the crank set. What to do what to do… Another new toy to save up for… Orbea Diva… Very nice, huh?… but not blue! maybe green or white… :-\
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