Almost to PCH when we hit this gate at Rambla Pacifica and had to climb back out
There was this boulder problem on route
90 miles and 10,810' of climbing. I'd call that a good day.
At the end of the day we were still standing
I read about a guy in Europe that was going to ride all the cols in the Alps in one push. That would be 300 miles and 17 mountain passes. It was my inspiration when I came up with through the Santa Monica Mountains. At first I was planning to do all the major climbs but realized that would be mostly an out and back route on all of them and be something like 20,000' of climbing. I reeled it back in to 5 climbs and a better route. Once the idea was there, I told Hoffman and he was in. He's the only guy I know that's up for my hairbrain ideas. That's why we're Team Dumb and Dumber. We both get on board for whatever big idea each of us figures out.
We picked an open calendar day and were planning for it. It was planning and no additional training on my part. With cyclocross season soon, I've been working on short, hard efforts and CX skills. Not exactly the endurance training that I need. Hoffman rides more and is always in better shape but was sick the previous week so that didn't help him but all the endurance miles from the beginning of this year was still there. In reality him recovering from being sick just put him closer to my level which is "off the couch" fitness.
We started at 7 am and on the first climb it was already starting to feel hot. The past week has been hot and humid so I knew it was going to be bad but 7am and feeling hot didn't help. That was pretty much sums up the day. Here are the highlights:
- First climb: Las Flores. Our steepest climb and good thing it was first before it really heated up.
- Second climb: Piuma. Good climb and wide roads.
- Took wrong turn on Rambla Pacifica to a gated community and had to climb back out.
- Third climb: Latigo. It was 109 degrees going to the first summit and I was getting heat exhaustion. The road was recently repaved so normally I like the smooth, black road but the black asphalt was reflecting all the heat back on us along with no wind. I usually ride in the mornings so I am not accustomed to being in the heat and Hoffman was much better in it. We found some shade and I rested for 20 minutes trying to cool off. Going to the second summit, the temp got up to 111 degrees. I was dying and was silent. I didn't have any energy to talk.
- Hoffman brought some small size cokes and it was a lifesaver.
- Finally some wind came through on PCH and cooled us down in between the climb. Adjusted our plan with the goal of still doing 10,000'.
- Fourth climb: Yerba Buena. The wind lasted about 1/4 mile into the climb and it was back to non-moving hot air. It was 104 degrees. I was searching for shade and doing 1 minute stops to try and cool off.
- We reached Circle X Ranch and refilled with water. The temperature gauge at the ranch read 94 degrees in the shade.
- Seeing the bike computer register over 10,000' of ascent (our goal of the day).
- No real cramping. Had a twinge and new to back off. Since getting the power meter, I haven't cramped since and it's not like I've been taking it easy.
- Endurolytes are great and helped stave off cramping.
- Food was rice cakes with egg, salami, salt and soy sauce. Salami was in the house but may want to get some bacon or something else next time.
- Total riding time was 8:10 and total time was 10:18. We could have done better but the heat killed me. I had to take big breaks and spent most of my time in the granny gear. On a cool day, I think we could have done this in 8:00 total.
- Next time we do a ride with heat forecasted over 80 degrees, we need to do an alpine start. I have my generator wheel so no problem for me. Anything to reduce the amount of time in the heat.
Even with the heat, it was still a great day out.
