EPIC TRAINING SYSTEMS
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2006 Everest Challenge Race Report- Page 2
Saturday September 23, 2006 Day 1 120 miles 15,465 feet of climbing |
Climb #1 Mosquito Flats 22 miles 6,200 feet of gain 2 hours 27 minutes Total work 1666 kj Avg watts 190 watts At 10,250' it is the highest paved road in the Sierras. The run in is 11 miles long. The first 8 miles is neutralized. The climb is 22 miles, average grade is 5%. Maximum grade lower half 9%, upper half 11%. source, event website I felt confident that all the training I had done was going to pay off so when the first break went I followed. That only last about 5 minutes and I was blown out the back. I continued on the climb at my pace and was passed by the same people I had passed just a few minutes ago. You think I would learn. I see the climb up to Mosquito Flats as two separate climbs. The first 7 miles then there is a dip about a mile which is followed by a shallow uphill grade and then the last 10 miles. I like to go easy on the first climb just to see how I'm feeling and then "turn it on" on the last 10 mile section. I didn't have the same altitude issues I did last year. I just paced myself up and conserved energy because I knew it was a long day. On the climb up I was dreading the descent. I could feel it getting colder and colder. The decent was very cold, in the 30's, but you only have to grin and bear it for about 10 minutes or so. Once you fall under 7,000 feet it starts to warm up. |
| Climb #2 Pine Creek 8 miles 2500 feet of gain 1 hour 10 mins Total work 742 kj Avg watts 193 watts Pine Creek to 7,420' in 8 miles, average grade is 7%, max is 9%, extended sections of 8%. source, event website I like this climb. It is very scenic as it takes you through a canyon. You see the mountains reaching for the heavens on either side of you as you climb and climb. Sure it is only 8 miles but the grade is steady and most of it is 8%. By this time the lead boys were long gone and I figured I might as well pace myself and settle in for a long day. Sure I had illusions of finishing higher in the General Classification (GC) but I could see that all disappearing. I was still feeling good after the second climb and I was ready for the last climb. I had been riding alone for hours already. |
| Climb #3 South Lake 20.4 miles and 5400 feet of gain 2 hours 53 mins Total work 1586 kj Avg watts 173 watts Then it's up to "Bishop Creek to 9,835' in 20.4 miles, average grade 6%. While this is not the highest spot or most vertical gain, the last mile has two short sections around 15% grade and will certainly test your strength and endurance and desire to stay on the bike. Bottom half has extended sections of 8-9% grade, max grade 9%." source, event website I find this climb to be psychologically difficult because you can see the climb ahead for miles and miles. Last year I had a lot of "hot foot" on this climb and had to dismount and take my shoes off for a few minutes. The hardest section of this climb is when you turn off the main road and you get through some of the gentle grades on your way to the lake. You will hit ramp after ramp that pitches up and up. Many times I see riders dismount. By this point, I am so glad that I have a compact crank with 53/39 and 11/27 cassette. One way I was able to definitely know that I was in better shape this year was that when I got to the top of South Lake I could eat the food they were grilling. I had a grill cheese sandwich and a cup of soup and felt better right away. Last year I couldn't eat a thing for hours after the event. TIME FOR FIRST DAY 8:43:28 PLACE 62 out of 65 |
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