Review of climbs 1 and 2. Essentially the climb is just over 2 miles with approximately 1,000 ft elevation gain. These graphs make it look pretty boring, there are a few switch backs and it does kick up to 16% in places. It takes about 15 minutes. The first climb took 15:15 and the second took 14:45. I admit, the last time that I climbed the other side of this hill, I weighed 10 pounds more and I was on my rain bike which weighs 10 more pounds than today's bike - Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL, Kyrium ES wheels, full Campy Record gruppo. I did feel like I was cheating compared to January's ride, but I did not miss the snow.
I was happy with the results: I held back just enough to gas it at the end and not get too carried away. If anyone from that group reads this I hope that you don't get pissed off, because I enjoy climbing. More importantly, I enjoy the descent that a good climb usually offers. I got yelled at all winter for going too fast up hills - I really was trying to go up the hills slower over the winter training, really. Now I just need to get some results in races to back up my claims.At 174 pounds, I do not claim to have a climber's body, but I have made progress in that department. These kinds of rides will prepare me for the Pyrenees in June. I am going on one of those supported tours from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic. On a more local level, I will keep in mind that the hill climb to the finish in Walla Walla is only half of Cougar Mountain.
2 comments:
No one is pissed off. We are all happy that you are such a good climber.
Looks like climbing is your thing which is a good sign. Good climbers are easier to turn into successful cat2s than good "sprinters" :).
I think you are doing it right by climbing l'Alp with negative splits. Turning up the dial as you get closer to the top ensures that you are doing a consistently hard effort up the hill, but not so much that you cook yourself early, and just stumble up the remainder. Remember to climb at your pace and avoid the temptation to match the pace of others.
I'm seeing a lot of blog entries, but mostly on race reviews. I only count 2 training entries in 5 days? Are you spending any time on the trainer? What are your weekly training goals? What's your next target race?
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