It's the pace not the pitch...except for Lincoln

I wanted to test myself and did. My current limits are manifest. http://www.northeastcycling.com/six_gaps.html

6 Gaps is the REAL deal ( I only manged to do 4). If you fancy yourself a strong rider try this out for size.

I ride more elevation in 100 miles on Skyline Drive (6 times last season) but the terribly steep grades in VT destroyed my legs. At the end it would feel like my heart rate was climbing high, effort felt high, but Hr was actually rather slow. Legs trashed good.

So, believing I could hang with the "B" group, I started the day at about 8 AM. Kinda hanged with the group until the real work started on Brandon Pass. They pulled outta sight, but I wisely kept my pace gentle as I had 130 miles to ride. I would pass them later when they blew up, so I was thinking. Many waited at the top. Like when I started mountain biking and the guys waited. When I caught up, they, well rested, hauled ass as I sucked wind trying to keep up. I mentioned that and got a laugh or 2. As the descent began I found myself on the brakes. NO WAY. So I passed everyone and no one passed me for a couple of miles. My bike rolls well downhill. Maybe I have superior momentum from my superior large derriere. I was no doubt the fattest guy there. My max speed, a PR, was 50.8 mph. FUN. Next year will be faster now that I have seen the roads.

Too much fun. I kept in the pace line around the lake Dunmore and on a downhill passed everyone again. Maybe downhill road racing is my thing? Well at the main road, rte 7 I think, they all dropped me again as we started into the wind.

So I almost caught the group at the narrow bridge on the middlebury climb but the legs were already cramping. DAMMIT!!! Fortunately they take Visa at the Ripton country store, I left my cash in the truck. Watered up, hit some Endurolytes and Perpetuem, and was off. Solo again. The fun did not last long enough. I always ride solo. DAMMIT. Up and down, ad nausem. Where is the much awaited downhill?

Finally I made it down to rte 100 and considered bailing out but only 3 hours had been used. I wanted to experience the much feared Lincoln Pass. So off I went.

After passing Granville Gulf, nice waterfall, I turned onto Lincoln Gap Rd. Pretty steep right away. I developed the skill to ride slow and keep the HR moderate. So the dirt road came and went so the real climbing is supposed to begin. I noted my Garmin said 60 miles when the pavement started. One mile to go. Wasn't so bad until I went through a bend and BOOM. Steep, big time. Looked like steps so I stayed seated until I had to stand, and when it leveled out, relatively, I sat down and caught my breath. Fine, until the next bend/switchback and I was up.

Maybe 1/2 mile down or so. Still I got opportunities to sit and catch my breath. So 1 mile comes and goes. Where's the summit?!:( DAMMIT!! 1.2 mile into the paved road and both quads fired off in cramps. 2 or 3 more revolutions and I gave up on cleaning the climb. DAMMMMMIT.

I was cramping just walking, it is so steep. After resting and drinking I started riding again. Maybe 100 yards later and walking again...cramps. Walked to the summit.

So I had been thinking I would do the 3 Gaps of Vermont. Just go back down Lincoln and back to the truck in Rochester. Somehow my bike pulled me down the Western side. The gravel road was not fun. With suspect low traction bike handling skillz I rode my brakes and stopped thrice to check my rims. OK. Saw a moose dooing moose stuff in the woods. Doug told me an A group guy has issues with a moose on that descent, perhaps the same critter. Should have brought the camera but the extra weight.

Appalachian Gap was ok. Stopped on Baby App and got free (sink)water at the gas station near the summit. They don't take Visa. Why did I forget my cash. Thx to the girl working there. Enjoyed damn nice views from the blue steel chairs they had outside. the App Gap summit was horrendous too. I walked the last .2 miles or so. Met Doug (http://hilljunkie.blogspot.com/) on the climb. Nice guy. Hope I can keep up an a few years. He seemed apologetic but it's my fat ass at fault.

So here at the bottom of App, at 90 miles I threw in the towel. Too late in the day. Had I started at sunrise I might have attempted the whole 130 miles. I will go off at 0630 next year, solo if needed. I WILL finish the Full Monty!

Hard to believe I saw Doug on the last descent as I drove back to Ascutney State Park.

All in all a good ride. Damn I am sore right now. Next year I need an extra day to recover from the drive from VA. I did not sleep but 2 or 3 hours before the ride. traffic in Ct almost gave me a migraine. Hope to bring the family next year. The twins are a bit young for the wife to try camping with this year. Will probably bring them on this year's SM100.

I WILL clean Lincoln next year. If I had left my 22-32-44 XT crank on the bike I would have made it. 34x28 was too hard for me this year with my road crank. And to think, I had the mtb crank and tools in the truck.

So my deal is 6 Gaps of VT on Memorial Day and SM100 on Labor day. Both are good tests

of my fitness. It will be good to see how I do next May.