Pilot Mountain or Mt. Pilot

Just a couple of guys hanging out at the top of Pilot Mountain. The brewmeister is in great shape. 64 miles of hard riding. This was the most miles I have done in 6 months. After 55 miles I will have to say I was spent. Felt good the entire time, until the last 30 minutes. I was ready to take a nap. Wow, this was a good workout. I have to double my endurance miles and work on mountains and/or hills. I am glad I got to do this ride to see what we are up against at the three mountain madness in June. I know I can do one mountain, but three of these in one day. OMG... Enjoyed it Bro. No stories to tell, just exhausted.

NEED TO FIND A TRAINING SCHEDULE

I have been told to train effectively that you should every night spin on a bike trainer for 15 to 20 miles to keep loose regardless if you ride or not outside. Take only one day off a week. So this is what I have been doing for the past week. Riding and spinning on my bike trainer. I went on the 3 gap ride today that I destroyed the first time. Well that did not happen today. I was totally spent by the time I got to the simple last gap (which it really is simple). I will say the wind was 11mph in my face all the time and really quit fighting it. I don't know if the wind added to my fatigue, but don't want to use excuses. I do know that it did not bother another biker who on wolf gap, the steep gap passed me like I was standing still. That did not bode well with me, for I have never been passed up a hill, or mountain before like this guy did. It was unbelievable. It may have shot my confidence too. No kidding when I say this, it was as though I was going up hill and he was going down hill. There was that much difference in our speed. He had to be a professional. He looked as though he was going as fast as car. This is no joke. I have never seen anyone climb like this guy did. Well I did not get to see much of him actually. It was embarrassing and put me in my place of, I am not ready to do any of these rides we are planning.

I don't think the owner of this particular store knows what he is talking about spinning every day and or riding every day. Of course I am not riding every day, but I am not spinning every day either (stupid). He even said you should spin on the trainer after a hard ride the same night (Don't see that happening tonight). I think I have done too much in a week for I am trying to get caught up with you guys for the lost time. I will not get caught up with you guys but need to find some type of regimate to be some what in shape for the summer. You obviously can't force getting in shape so I am going to have to find another system for this system does not work. I am worn the %*^%* out. I am going back to spinning on the trainer at night once or twice and ride on the road twice a week. Maybe I should take up runinng like the rest of you. Not sure how you swim,run,bike, and lift weights in the same week. Go iron men go!!! Any suggestions let me know.

2/3 of 3 Mountain Madness

My odometer has been broken for a few weeks, so I don't have the speed or exact mileage, but I did tackle Hanging Rock AND Sauretown today in one ride. I drove to the Food Lion at Highway 66 and Mountainview and rode from there. The distance was probably close to 30 miles, so I can't really call it 2/3 of the 75 miler coming it, but 2 out of 3 mountains in one ride was a confidence builder. I did Hanging Rock first and it has not gotten any easier. The drizzle started just before the ascent and the temperature dropped. I didn't think I would have anything left for Sauertown. Something very strange happened though. I don't remember the second climb. I remember the wind started blowing directly in my face, the rain got worse and suddenly the fog was so thick I couldn't see the lines in the road. My knee started hurting and my ipod went out - I think it got wet. Next thing I remember I was at the top and felt great. I think I was so scared I was going to get run over that I focused so hard and don't remember the pain of the climb. The conditions were awful, coming down was quite scary. The fog lifted about halfway down the mountain, but I do remember the intense cold - evidently my jacket is windproof, not waterproof. It was an exhilarating experience and gave me a great boost to my mental confidence in being able to overcome obstacles in biking. I'm ready to take it to another level after this ride. 4 weeks in a row doing some big climbs and I'm feeling good about my schedule. My goal is to learn how to spell Sauratown Mountain before I ride 3 Mountain Madness.

3 Gap vs Mountains in NC

Ok, I can not believe I did this, but I did it. The 3 Gap in Ga was not as hard as anticipated. I only did 38 miles for I started at the bottom of Neel's Gap for I thought I would only do it and coast back to the car. I also wanted to limit my miles. I can start 20 miles further which is what I will do next time to make it a total of 58 miles or try the gaps twice or add one gap. The 20 miles prior to the hills will add miles of course and make the hills seem more like climbs I am sure. Really had no intentions of doing three. I was nervous that I would not make it to my car because of fatigue or lack of food, water etc. I am really not ready for these type of rides especially 100 miles %$%# BSG, but you have to start somewhere and hope for the best.

A little about the ride for I know you are so interested in this. You can't sleep at night for you want to know what Phil is riding. Ok, I guess I will tell you. Check out map if you want to see what I am up against. Wolf Pen Gap was very steep (3.2) miles and Neel's Gap was very long ( 8 miles). I have to say these hills do not compare to anything that I have done in NC. I am impressed I did these three Gaps don't get me wrong, with the lack of riding I have under my belt since October. The down hill from Woody Gap was a blast. Your hands get tired of breaking, but one of the best downhills I have done since my Tahoe days. Woody Gap was a joke going up however. Not sure how Woody Gap is considered a Gap. I could not believe I was at the top when I reached it, for I had just started the climb so I thought. I am going to have to check the other three gaps for there are 6. I have heard the other 3 gaps are much tougher. I am pleased that I accomplished this route, but believe me when I say sawertown (spelling), pilot mountain, snake mountain and hanging rock are much much much much tougher. I never had to get off my saddle to pedal. I only did so when needed for comfort or sprint. I finished these three "hills" in 2 hours and 30 minutes. It took that long because of my picture taking and sight seeing over the valley, very breath taking. You do get a sense of accomplishment when looking at the valley and you are on your bike while everyone else is driving their cars looking at you like how did you get to the top. For me, I try not to forget that I really can do this and feel fortunate that I can. Enough of getting in touch with nature. This ride was just a confidence builder, which is what I need in so many aspects.