Training Log Archive: PGIn the 1 days ending Sep 18, 2017:
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Monday Sep 18, 2017 #
3 PM
biking - dark blue bike 1:43:28 20.23 mi (5:07 / mi) +1699ft 4:44 / mi
ahr:124 max:163 weight:137.5lbs
I've been wanting to try the access road to the top of Mt. Tom for some time now. It and Kingsley Hill Road are the two hardest paved climbs in the state -- others, especially Greylock, are (much) longer but not nearly so steep -- and I'd done the latter a month or two ago. This one is shorter (0.9 miles) but steeper, 14.2% average grade with a max of 23%, plus the road is much narrower (maybe 8' wide), with moderately crappy pavement.
But I've ridden enough hills in the last couple of months that I figured it should be doable. At a very slow pace, of course, but still doable.
And so it was. Two moments of concern. The lesser was one moment when I felt the front wheel getting lighter -- usually a precursor to it going airborne -- a problem I often get on steep sections on my mountain bike (because I'm not very skilled). Got that under control quickly. The greater concern was losing my concentration -- was glancing at my watch and the next thing I knew, I was in the tall grass. Fortunately, no bad rocks or bushes right there and I got back on pavement without having to put a foot down.
Time (16:30) was actually a little better than the 17-18 I expected and I still had a little in reserve. Very pleased!
View from the top --
The access road is called the B17 in memory of a B17 that crashed there in 1946.
But I've ridden enough hills in the last couple of months that I figured it should be doable. At a very slow pace, of course, but still doable.
And so it was. Two moments of concern. The lesser was one moment when I felt the front wheel getting lighter -- usually a precursor to it going airborne -- a problem I often get on steep sections on my mountain bike (because I'm not very skilled). Got that under control quickly. The greater concern was losing my concentration -- was glancing at my watch and the next thing I knew, I was in the tall grass. Fortunately, no bad rocks or bushes right there and I got back on pavement without having to put a foot down.
Time (16:30) was actually a little better than the 17-18 I expected and I still had a little in reserve. Very pleased!
View from the top --
The access road is called the B17 in memory of a B17 that crashed there in 1946.