Vertical ascent for ride to Cold Spring 10/25/03 - 4440'
...were concentrated in the couple of miles between the Buddha and the descent on 301. Or at least it felt like it.
I have always found that stretch past the lake to be grueling. Without knowing what the incline is, I hate it--today couldn't muster more than 6mph. But when Tim McCarthy blithely told me that he rode it in his triple, and even John Z confessed fatigue, I at least had corroborating testimony to assuage my pride.
Then there was the wind.
But what a gorgeous day! Something to think about all winter.
There were hordes of leaf-peepers in Cold Spring and on the train home.
... the grade for .2 miles was 9%. Perhaps that was the pebble in you shoe...
"Carol;
I did not say I was tired. I said ""I suffered like a dog"" on the 301 climb. This is exactly what I wanted to do. Early in the day, I had a target power zone set for those climbs and I hit it, but it took all my concentration. I do agree the winds were a bit anoying a times. ""Leef Peepers"" on the train? More like Yankees fans heading to the stadium or into to the city to watch Game 6 of the World Series, and Rangers fans heading to the Garden, like our big friend and his sons..."
Admittedly my quotation was inexact, but the point was that I wasn't the only person who perceived that stretch to be difficult. As for the leaf peepers, did you not notice how unusually crowded the village of Cold Spring was that afternoon? I don't recall ever seeing so many people there on even the most pleasant summer Saturday. The train platform was swarming with backpackers; I spoke with at least a couple who had been out peeping. They were pooped.
With regard to the sports fans on the train, I confess total ignorance of this subject. But taking your word for it, it's fair to say that the combination of returning daytrippers, city-bound sports fans, and a large group of cyclists created the perfect storm of transport congestion.
Hank, your data confirm what I suspected: that the difficulty of that stretch is more perceived than actual. Yesterday, f'rinstance, it seemed harder to me than climbing Gate Hill, though it's not nearly as steep or as long. But coming at about 76 miles, it's almost at my traditional PoB (point of bonking), that is, the 80-mile mark. According to Accuweather, the wind (at Newburgh) was SSW 12mph--not exactly a gale, but noticeable when you're heading straight into it.
By the way, many thanks to Fred for the fabulous route. Even the unintended detour at Croton Dam was lovely.
Carol-
Thank you.
That was the Hemlock Dam on the Croton Falls Reservoir.
When I scouted the route in late August I don't recall seeing that sign. Sorry for the extra mileage, but at least it was pretty.
