Stone Mountain Coker Adventure.
Well I went back to the base of 'Stone Mountain'
(http://www.stonemountainpark.com) for a ride Sunday morning. Reidj and
I planned on setting out for an eighteen mile ride at about 8:30-9:00am.
Neither of us had sunscreen, so after a trip to Quick Trip, we were
back on track. We actually got started about 9:20am.
THis ride has the hill that I had yet to conquer on at least 7 previous
attempts. This time though, I came prepared with advice from Nathan,
AspenMike, GizmoDuck, and Klaas Bil. So I new with a fair amount of
certainty I was going to crush this mountain(hill).😄
On this first hill, one that I usually make, but just barely. I
normally get to the top of the first hill spent physically, and
struggling to catch my breath. Armed with the advice of those
mentioned, I conquered the hill with ease. Rather than having to stomp
my way up the hill, I focused on pedaling, balance w/o putting pressure
on the rear pedal and controlled breathing. After taking that hill with
ease, I knew if it was going to happen, today was the day. I was going
to conquer the mountain that kept beating me.
To add insult to injury, this particular hill also happens to have the
greatest concentration of walkers, bikers, joggers, roller bladers,
scooters and cars. So it is really tough on the ego to push your Coker
up this hill.:o There happens to be a telephone poll about 3/4 of he
way up this hill that marks a decrease in the grade. I have always felt
that if I could just make it to that telephone poll, it would be a done
deal. Also keep in mind, that Reidj is riding with me on a 24". He
always makes the hill and passes me as I am walking up. So needless to
say I have plenty of motivation to make it to the top. Today was the
day. When I hit the top I felt like Lance Armstrong crossing the finish
at Alpe d'Huez. It was a great feeling.
The best(from a prepared standpoint) part was I hadn't ridden at all
last week, it was warmer and more humid than any day we had ridden in
the last 3 weekends. I still made it to the top two out of three times
around. The third time I was pretty spent, and pretty much bonked. I
had it in my mind to get out of the saddle for about 1 mile previously
to let the blood flow. I should have listened to my crotch, I may have
made it. Instead I kept pushing, and ended up leaning to far forward
and my legs couldn't keep up. I am confident that next week will be a
different story. I had two UPD's in approximately 18 miles of riding.
One was Jennifer Annistons fault, the other I just bonked.
So Thank You to Nathan, Mike, Ken and Klaas Bil.😄 I don't think that
success would have occurred as quickly without your help.
--
bugman - Survivor 2004 Wolfman Duathalon
My philosophy, in essence, is the concept of man as a heroic being, with
his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive
achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute.
Ayn Rand
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