Finally back in San Jose after a three week trip out of town to Alaska and Colorado. Didn't bike once while I was out and I really missed it! I did get some running and hiking done in an attempt to maintain my riding shape.
My trip was great and if I had to miss some rides... at least it was for a good reason. While I was out I spent a weekend in Salida Colorado. It is a mountain bike haven in that part of the country. I thumbed through some excellent trail books and rode an Enduro S-Works in the parking lot at a local shop but didn't have time to demo the bike and the trails. Some time in the future!!
So back to the swing of things... I have a local ride at Santa Teresa that I ride more frequently than any other ride. It is short, challenging and close to my house so I can hit it on week-nights after work and still make it back on time for dinner. The ride is as follows:
I drive in to the trailhead at the base of the switchbacks - hit those - and ride the loop backwards up rocky ridge and down the service road. The first time I rode this it took me about an hour and 10 minutes... I made it my goal for quite a while to shave minutes off this ride every time I rode it. At the height of my shape this spring I was able to do it in 39:40 and I was totally wasted afterward but excited I had attained my goal to break 40 minutes!!!
The ride is 6.67 miles. In order to break 40 I had to learn every detail of the trail, learn how to keep my feet on the pedals without a single slip, learn how to gear perfectly for every ascent and know how hard I could push and for how long so I could maintain a sustainable cadence without burning out and needing a rest. Now this ride is my benchmark the quality of my riding shape. Here are my checkpoints for beating the 40 if anyone would like to give it a shot:
Base of switch backs to the top: Must be there in less than 7 minutes
Bridge leading to rocky ridge: Must be there in 17 minutes
Radio tower at the top - already on the road leading to the two humps: Must beat 30 minutes or there is now way to make it back in the last 10. This is the leg where I typically deviate if I'm slow.
Thursday Max Speed: 39.9 down the service road.
So I hit this on Thursday after I returned from Colorado. I had to put my foot down once which cost me.. I also had to wait for riders to pass on a couple occasions but I did it in 41:50. I was pretty happy with this time given the amount of time I was out on the road. My body is being a great companion in allowing me to do it fast enough to maintain my intensity and excitement for this sport - but slow enough to show me that I need to keep on top of it to get my best time... Could have been much worse!
Hope to see some pictures of the downieville trip if anyone has some to post. I wish I could have been there!
Joe
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