Archive: May 29, 2011

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Heartbreak Hundred

Sunday,  05/29/11  09:15 AM

Yesterday I rode the Heartbreak Hundred, a maniacal century accumulating 9,000' of climbing in a tour of the Los Padres National Forest.  The highlight is a 5 mile climb at about 7% called ... Heartbreak Hill.  The past two years I've actually ridden this as a Double - with 50 miles before, and 50 miles after, in an out-and-back from Palmdale - but this year I had to get back home for a dinner party so contented myself with the middle hundred.

The timing of this ride was *perfect*; after last week I had a lot to think about, and riding for 10 hours gave me a lot of time to think.  I have quite distilled everything down yet but stay tuned, I think I'm in for an inflection point.

Anyway the ride itself was great - I felt strong, and did it in 8:14 riding time, which is pretty good considering - and I enjoyed nice weather and beautiful views.  Here are some pictures:


the route: 100 miles and 9,000' of climbing, a nice little tour of the Los Padres National Forest


picture map courtesy of my iPhone; I love this feature...


initial climb up past Frasier Park; so far, so good


paceline up into the forest


first checkpoint at the top of the first climb; whew
only 25 miles down and a long way left


amazing vista open up along the forest ridge of Mt. Pinos


descending the backside down from the forest: wheeee!


at 'the place' halfway through the ride; ready to attack Heartbreak!


a little water hazard


Heartbreak Hill! - 5 miles at 7%


looking back down; did I just climb that?  (gasp)


Powering at 30+ mph back down - yay.
finished in 8:14 riding time, not bad

Onward!  Next weekend I'm riding the Ojai Valley 200K, and in the meantime I have much to think about :)

 
 

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