Gross.
Enter Matt. Matt is my teammate who manages to know just how to get me on my bike. He sent out an email saying that he was only going to do half of the ride due to other commitments and that anyone was welcome to join him on the truncated route. This would mean the ride would still go over Zoo Hill but then start back towards Mercer Island, the starting spot. I really didn't have an excuse anymore and decided that I would go on the shortened version and then ride back to Seattle from Mercer Island on my own. Oh! And our team's Clif order was available for pick up and I'll pretty much do anything for a Mojo Bar. (Apparently, I had one of the largest orders. I love my Shot Bloks!)
It was raining so naturally, I had to bring my rain bike. It has a compact crank on it, but I was worried about my ability to push the aluminum frame up Zoo Hill.
What is all this fuss about Zoo Hill? Let me paint a picture for you. I had to pull some information off the internet to share with you. Here is a snapshot of what I found:
"Zoo Hill—named after the small zoo at the start, is arguably one of the toughest climbs in the Seattle area. Ascending 1,200 feet over 2.5 miles, it has an average grade of about 10%, with common gradients in 15% and some sections approaching 20%. This is not a climb to be approached lightly.
Or, as one rider noted, "Zoo Hill is the puke-inducing lactate-producing gasp-fest that I avoid unless taunted."
So, we started the ride and I was fine. It was great to see a lot of people turn out for the ride and it was nice to catch up with people I hadn't seen in awhile. We did one short catch-up wait before heading out on Newport Way to get to the hill. Since I wasn't going to do the whole ride, I said that it would be fine for the main group to head out without me if I wasn't done with the climb yet. (Normally, I'm the last one up any hill.)Or, as one rider noted, "Zoo Hill is the puke-inducing lactate-producing gasp-fest that I avoid unless taunted."
It doesn't take long for me to see the 'Cougar Mountain Zoological Park' sign, and the gigantic hill next to it. It is so steep! I start to climb. A bunch of riders go around me. I am in awe of their ability to just dance up the hill.
I should also mention that I'm an 'in-the-saddle' climber. I don't like to stand because I feel like I'm going to fall over.
We go around the corner and, look! more hill. This goes on and on and on and on. The people up the road from me no longer look like they are dancing. My heart is pounding, my breathing is labored and I'm wondering, 'when the hell is this going to end!!?' My internal dialouge bounced between, 'I can't do this! I'm going to fall off my bike and I'm going to have to walk up this hill;' and 'No, you can't quit, you can do this! Channel your inner mountain goat, or at least your inner Lance Armstrong!'
At one point, there is a steep hairpin turn and I thought I that was going to be the end of me. There is a dip in the side of the road and I fell in it, making it even harder to climb. But I got out of it, and kept going. The tree density started to thin out and I thought I was almost done. Wrong.
The road does flatten out—a bit. Not really flat, but it feels almost like a downhill after what you've just experienced. This doesn't last long and you go almost immediately into a relentless set of rollers. One right after another. And when I say rollers, I mean a very steep incline followed by a less steep incline. There is only one slight decline and it feels amazing, but you kind of want to push it as hard as you can so you can use your momentum up the next hill.
Then, you are done! My teammates were waiting for me and were really proud of me. I was really proud of myself. I wasn't even last! There were 3 whole people behind me!!
I managed to finish out my ride in 2.5 hours. Did I mention it was raining? That means that I had to descend from the top of Cougar Mountain on wet roads. I think I did a pretty good job. My confidence is definitely coming back after my crash on Hollywood Hill.
I also made Kevin drive up the climb yesterday so I could show him exactly what I did.
you did so good, carly! sorry for not telling you to cut it a tiny bit to the outside on the hairpin, i make that mistake every time i climb zoo.
ReplyDeletealso, good on you for being an in the saddle climber. standing actually uses more energy and really doesn't make you go any faster, never be afraid to be in an easier gear spinning at a higher cadence on any climb, your legs will thank you later :)
Thank you, Jess! I think I was so worried about a car coming around the corner that the next thing I knew, I was in that stupid hole. But, I got out of it, and that is what is important.
ReplyDeleteAlso, my legs did thank me for spinning in an easier gear. (Okay, I wasn't exactly spinning. I was just using my easiest gear.)
All the rest of the hills on my way home felt so easy!! Maybe there is still a climber hidden in me somewhere?