The Ride Up Newberry

Hello,

I finally got out of the garage today. I had an unexpected day off and decided to go on a ride OUTSIDE. The weather was gorgeous, but cold. I added an extra layer of wool and was out right after Emilia went to school. 36 degrees F. according to my bike computer.

I warmed up from my house on Mt. Tabor to the I-84 footbridge at the transit center in Hollywood. From then on I pushed myself as much as felt good. I ended up having a great ride and would have cut quite a bit off my best time for this particular route had I not flatted right after using the men's room at the MAC (where I work). I still did quite well, flat or no flat.

The most difficult stretch of this ride is Newberry, a hill a little over two miles long than runs about 10% grede, with a couple sections that are around 15% grade. After doing this hill I could really feel the effects of the yoga and the time on the trainer in the garage. I finished Newberry and felt fresh, strong even. There are plenty more hills after Newberry, but it is the real test. After feeling so lousy during and after my last garage workout, it was nice to feel so upbeat after something so hard.

The total ride was right at 40 miles, but the climbing is what made it a workout. Forty miles on the flats is not that hard once you have done it a couple times, but throw in 3500 feet of climbing, including a section of 10-15% grade and things start to get a little tough.

After I got home, Caroline and Carrie were out, so I did about twenty minutes of recovery yoga and took a shower. I was hoping that the good weather would satisfy my spring fever, but it has only made it worse. I can't wait for the next nice day that I can get out and ride. I plan on doing a 100 miler. But no Newberry.

Namaste.

Jim