Training Log Archive: revy

Next transfer day from steamy Santa Fe to the city of "Eternal Spring" Medellin. We started along the main highway as the other route over the old bridge was quite rough. Once we turned off onto the old highway (new highway goes through a tunnel) and started climbing we kept going up for almost 2000m. This was my favorite climb so far as the road was always scenic due to its position on the mountain side and there was an almost complete lack of traffic. The road also climbed to a distinct pass which mentally was easier too. The grade was moderate (a nice change from previous steep roads as my legs were feeling the two weeks of riding) and I spent the first 2/3rds spinning with Courtney and juliann as the rest of the group was up ahead. Had to change another flat for Courtney (5 total between us on this trip). Skies were a little threatening and luckily we pulled into a roadside cafe just as the downpour started. We waited out the storm for about half an hour and then continued up in a slight drizzle which eventually stopped.

I rode the last 8km at tempo pace with Brook and then we waited at the food stand at the top for the rest of the group. We hit another squall on the descent which made things cool and didn't really allow us to enjoy the full experience of descending into Medellin (which really is in quite a spectacular setting) but luckily this rain was short lived. The road on this side was rough in spots until we joined a more major artery. The last 15km were quite interesting as we descended through suburbs, saw one of the gondolas used in the public transit system, followed a series of bike lanes (and braved some city streets as well), used a pedestrian bridge to cross the river and finally reached our destination all the way across the valley in El Poblado.