| STATS | DAY | MILES | CLIMBING | CALORIES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAY | 2 | 71.75 | 4888 | 5678 |
| TOTALS | 2 | 129.28 | 7874 | 10,330 |
Spring sprung today with our first transition across the 70 degree mark. I didn't have any meeting scheduled for the afternoon, so I submitted for 4 hours of vacation time from my accrued hours and shut the email down and headed out the door to attempt a 70 mile solo ride. As I train for the AlCan ride, I need to work on distance and endurance. The average daily mileage on the ride is listed as 72 miles. In my totally non-scientific wing it as I go training, I said to myself "Self, you should try and ride at least 70 miles as soon as the temperature crosses 70 degrees." Today was the day.
After I finished up all my morning calls, and some of my emails, I stepped outside on the deck and quickly determined that I did not need tights, long sleeves, windbreaker, booties, winter gloves, balaclava, toe and hand warmers. YIPPEEEE!!! So shorts and a jersey it is! My favorite way to ride.
The weather man this morning said that it would be a windy day. He was right for once. It was wicked windy. The route I had mapped out took me over towards the flatlands of central northern jersey, then back into the hillier region traversing some new roads and crossing more ridges than I would normally want to cross.
I reached the highest elevation of the route in the first 10 miles. At this particular point, one can see the Delaware Water Gap in the distance. I stopped for a picture.
Water Gap (its' in the center where the horizons dip to meet between the trees. Seriously)
The route continued onto Alphano road and over into the town of Greendell which consists of a fire station, post office (in the fire station), kennel (for dogs), Day Care (kennel for kids), and an General Store. I was glad to find the store open. It was closed all last summer for remodeling. I stopped in and enjoyed a Turkey Hill Diet Green Tea with honey (0 calories and honey is the second ingredient. How cool is that!).
After having a bottle of tea and some peanuts, I started out with a big climb over the hill towards the turn back to the west area. Here is where the head wind kicked in and I had a fun time fighting it back to Bear Creek Road where I finally found the trees. Bear Creek ends at the world famous (and cycling must do) Shades of Death Road.
After surviving SOD (which oddly enough borders several honest to god sod farms. Hmmmmm?) I turned and climbed to the town of Mountain Lake. There is natural lake in the center of the mountains that is surrounded by summer homes and totally off the beaten path. I have only been here once before by car about 5 years ago and this was the first time I road there. Very pretty.
Mountain Lake
After ML I followed the road and it turned south. I wasn't sure about it so I looked at the map on my phone and couldn't see any details as it was too bright with no shade so I made the assumption that I was going the right way. Well, I get to the bottom off a long hill and realize I fell for the oldest trick in the book: If noone wants to be there, never place any signs that say which way it is to go there. That's right, I ended up in the bustling hamlet of Buttzville. Here is proof:
Yes Virginia, there is a Buttzville NJ.
Well, there is no way out of Buttzville other than major busy roads, so I had to turn around and climb back up the nice downhill I just came down. Oh well, I was looking for miles anyway.
Next leg took me into Belevidere NJ, the county seat. At this point, I had to turn my bike back towards the hills and face the 2 hardest ridges. The first climb was up to Brass Castle. This was the hardest stretch of the whole ride. The climb was long, steep, I was hot and out of water. When this happens, you start to worry about dehydration and cramps. Just after I crested the summit, I was started down the other side and spotted an oasis of no equal:
Parked the bike, took off the helmet, went inside and spent $4.57 on the cyclists survival kit:
The peanut butter TastyKakes are 3 patties of total awesomeness.
After the Gatoraide and TastyKakes dissappeared, I filled my water bottle with the the water, suited up, hoped on, and took off.
The remained of the ride was pretty uneventful. The climb up Buttermilk bridge was not as steep as I remembered it, but it was a slow slog as I was pretty tired by now. After surviving the climb and steep descent, the ride was the remainder of the standard Asbury Loop.
71.75 miles. I was averaging 14 or greater for the first 50 miles and 13 or greater up until the last 2 miles.
I have a 50+ mile ride tomorrow with the group. This should give me some indication if I am ready or not to ride an average of 72 miles daily day after day. I sense I am not.
Tail of the tape:
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