Day 14 - the last big ride day, 87 miles and 4000 feet of climbing and threat of rain. Of course, it was hot and humid. Once again, I found Dr. Richard and followed his controlled approach to long distance cycling.
Our goal was to beat the rainstorms.
I was a bit tired from the ride yesterday but soon got into a rhythm after 10 miles.
Leaving VT and entering NH, we started climbing and most of the climbing was in the first 2/3 of the ride. Great roads in NH but as we got closer to MA and Boston, traffic picked up and the last 30 miles were "interesting" especially around Burlington.
Everyone was happy the major rides were now completed. I rode for two weeks and 1200 miles to this point. The others 3400 miles. I have a tremendous amount of respect for the people who rode from LA all the to Burlington and to Boston tomorrow, 18 miles. Everyone agrees, I can walk that.
Below is the my Garmin Motionbase Database. Just click on it and you can see the stats for the ride plus a map of the the ride. It is really cool stuff.
CR Brattleboro VT to Burlington MA Road Biking Brattleboro, Windham, Vermont, United States MotionBased Dashboard
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Day 13 Albany to Brattleboro VT
Finally I am loading the last 3 days of riding. First, the Albany ( actually Latham, NY) to Brattleboro. Previous riders had stated this was the toughest days riding on the LA to Boston trip. Close to 6000 feet of climbing in 78 miles. All of us were apprehensive.
The day started at 7AM and it was humid and the forecast was for temps in the high 80's with comparable humidity. Three of us teamed up with Dr. Richard as he always sets a consistent pace and manages his energy ( and His philosophy is that he has a full bucket of water at the start and the goal is to have the last drop come out at the end. You have to manage your heart rate and keep it low while also maintaining a good pace) very effectively (68 years old and rides like he is 30). We left Latham and rode to Troy, NY ( 4 miles). We skirted South Troy riding past Russell Sage College and headed up Route 2. The climbing out of Troy told us of what was to come.
Eastern NY is farmland and very pretty ( and unlike Ohio, dogs are friendly). Vermont, going in to Bennington, is equally scenic. We stopped at the Bennington Monument for a much needed "break," and a quick history lesson about Col. Stark defeating the British in 1777 ( must have been an early Marine !!).
Now the real riding began. After leaving Bennington, we had an 8 mile climb to do. The first 5 miles were an average grade of 6% and the next 3 were 10/11% grades. This was the first time I had rode a sustained climb like this and I felt real proud ( and a bit tired at the top). Dr. Richard and I pasted several of the lead group going up. Amazing thing is he kept his heart rate below 140 all the way; me, I was banging the low 150's here and there. Once we got to the top, the downhill was fantastic. Averaged 35mph going down with an unexpected 45mph on one stretch. Scared the heck out of me.
We arrive in Wilmington, VT and re-fueled at the SAG stop. We had one more big climb over Hogback MT before the end. The climb was mostly 9 to 11% and trucks galore. Going downhill was a tad scary with a 2 lane road and semi's breezing by.
Finally Brattleboro, and Dr. Richard and I were the 4th and 5th riders in. The "A"" riders beat us by 25 minutes.
Ann arrived an hour later and with beer and snacks. What a gal, I love her.
Below is a link to my Garmin GPS Motionbase dashboard. All the stats are there plus a satellite map of the ride.
CR Albany to Brattleboro VT Road Biking Cohoes, Albany, New York, United States MotionBased Dashboard
The day started at 7AM and it was humid and the forecast was for temps in the high 80's with comparable humidity. Three of us teamed up with Dr. Richard as he always sets a consistent pace and manages his energy ( and His philosophy is that he has a full bucket of water at the start and the goal is to have the last drop come out at the end. You have to manage your heart rate and keep it low while also maintaining a good pace) very effectively (68 years old and rides like he is 30). We left Latham and rode to Troy, NY ( 4 miles). We skirted South Troy riding past Russell Sage College and headed up Route 2. The climbing out of Troy told us of what was to come.
Eastern NY is farmland and very pretty ( and unlike Ohio, dogs are friendly). Vermont, going in to Bennington, is equally scenic. We stopped at the Bennington Monument for a much needed "break," and a quick history lesson about Col. Stark defeating the British in 1777 ( must have been an early Marine !!).
Now the real riding began. After leaving Bennington, we had an 8 mile climb to do. The first 5 miles were an average grade of 6% and the next 3 were 10/11% grades. This was the first time I had rode a sustained climb like this and I felt real proud ( and a bit tired at the top). Dr. Richard and I pasted several of the lead group going up. Amazing thing is he kept his heart rate below 140 all the way; me, I was banging the low 150's here and there. Once we got to the top, the downhill was fantastic. Averaged 35mph going down with an unexpected 45mph on one stretch. Scared the heck out of me.
We arrive in Wilmington, VT and re-fueled at the SAG stop. We had one more big climb over Hogback MT before the end. The climb was mostly 9 to 11% and trucks galore. Going downhill was a tad scary with a 2 lane road and semi's breezing by.
Finally Brattleboro, and Dr. Richard and I were the 4th and 5th riders in. The "A"" riders beat us by 25 minutes.
Ann arrived an hour later and with beer and snacks. What a gal, I love her.
Below is a link to my Garmin GPS Motionbase dashboard. All the stats are there plus a satellite map of the ride.
CR Albany to Brattleboro VT Road Biking Cohoes, Albany, New York, United States MotionBased Dashboard
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