What the hell am I talking about, you ask? I'm talking about Assault on Mt Mitchell. I have decided, after all, to take on the challenge. The challenge of riding my bike 103 miles & over 11,000 feet of climbing. The worst climbing to come in the last 27mi or so. The worst climbing from Marion, up brutal Hwy 80 (the last 3 miles are the hardest) to the Blue Ridge Parkway. The brutal climb up Hwy 128 to the top of Mt Mitchell.
No one would save me from this - no one wanted to buy my ticket this year. I bought the full kit (bibs & jersey) and had already mapped out & started my training plan when I registered on 2/15. Ah...but Life. Life has it's way of changing your best laid plans. That's ok...I still have my Dad here, he's not pushing the daisies up.
So, since I couldn't get anyone to buy the ticket (and there are takers posting on Facebook who want a ticket) I just decided to go on and do the ride. I won't plan on breaking my time in 2009, I won't plan on a specific time to complete. All I wish to do IS complete the ride. I have a dozen or more rides under my belt since the middle of February, I'm riding well now (early/mid May) and I guess the one big thing I have going for me - I have done this ride before. I know what to expect. I might know what to expect, but it's sure as hell going to hurt worse than it did in 2009.
Epic. This is what it will be. And, make it to the top or not, I will know that I gave everything I had to do this ride with no training what-so-ever when I am done. I know, that if my Dad really truly understood what I was trying to do, he would be so very proud of me. And, he'd tell me what a crazy fool I was for attempting and/or doing such a ride!
Oh bugger....the forecast for Sunday & Monday (5/15-16) is calling for rain. 60% showers. Great. Do I let that get into my head and deter me? I can't. I have to have the proper clothing and perhaps embrace the showers. I guess it beats the hell out of 90+ temps and humidity. And, the forecast is 7 days out....it could change by then, but if not. So be it.
So, that's it. I'm going to see how far my legs can take me. Use anyone and everyone to get me to Marion without expending all of my energy. I need all the energy left to climb a Mountain. :)
Wish me luck and on Monday, May 16, send all the strong climbing vibes my way!!
5 comments:
You can do it! Just make sure to have fun :)
Thanks for the vote of confidence.
Find a tortoise for your talisman for this ride. "Kent from Seattle" may think that he is the "mountain turtle", but I know someone better qualified for that title ...
Good ridin' and good luck.
I think the biggest thing I must remember, is this - getting to Marion is not the objective. Reaching the parking lot at the top of Mt Mitchell is what I want....
Ride Smart.
Have fun!
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