Comments on: Six-Gap and other Horrors http://oldfartcycling.org/2008/10/11/six-gap-and-other-horrors/ Old and Slow is the Way to Go Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:02:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: Fatter Rounder Ass Sheebeest http://oldfartcycling.org/2008/10/11/six-gap-and-other-horrors/#comment-113 Fatter Rounder Ass Sheebeest Thu, 23 Oct 2008 16:13:21 +0000 http://oldfartcycling.org/2008/10/11/six-gap-and-other-horrors/#comment-113 You so wise Michael! Are you riding on Sunday? Apparently, the club ride is 49 out of Madison - quite the commute over. And I think there's some folks riding Cabos.... Are you interesting in either? You so wise Michael! Are you riding on Sunday? Apparently, the club ride is 49 out of Madison - quite the commute over. And I think there’s some folks riding Cabos….

Are you interesting in either?

]]> By: michael http://oldfartcycling.org/2008/10/11/six-gap-and-other-horrors/#comment-112 michael Thu, 23 Oct 2008 15:20:08 +0000 http://oldfartcycling.org/2008/10/11/six-gap-and-other-horrors/#comment-112 K-- I think a LOT of us flatlander riders made new resolutions to be lighter and faster for next year's Six-Gap. There's the concept of the rouleur--a heavier rider who can pound out mile after mile of flat-land speed--generally, a very good time trialist. You've got some of that going for you (note last weekend's short ride at the trail). Unfortunately, such strength is of little use on the face of a 14 percent grade. LIGHTER would definitely be better, for both of us. -Michael K–

I think a LOT of us flatlander riders made new resolutions to be lighter and faster for next year’s Six-Gap. There’s the concept of the rouleur–a heavier rider who can pound out mile after mile of flat-land speed–generally, a very good time trialist. You’ve got some of that going for you (note last weekend’s short ride at the trail). Unfortunately, such strength is of little use on the face of a 14 percent grade. LIGHTER would definitely be better, for both of us.

-Michael

]]> By: Fatter Rounder Ass Sheebeest http://oldfartcycling.org/2008/10/11/six-gap-and-other-horrors/#comment-111 Fatter Rounder Ass Sheebeest Thu, 23 Oct 2008 15:13:31 +0000 http://oldfartcycling.org/2008/10/11/six-gap-and-other-horrors/#comment-111 So, I was there. But I only set the goal of 3 Gap for myself AND I managed to do it. To this day, it is all a blur and I really don't believe I did it. I can remember bits and pieces and I can remember my utter uncomfortableness but I guess it's like child birth - how quickly you forget....so I've heard. I was one of the folks on Neels thinking "What the HELL have I gotten myself in to?" I knew it would be hilly but I guess I expected some sort of leveling off......not a constant 7 miles uppppppp! I kept expecting to turn a corner and find a level spot to atleast get some sort of relief. I was so wrong. Constant climbing. After about 3 or 4 miles I figured this out and had a "come to Jesus" moment. I was going to have to change my mind set. So, I changed my body position, dug in and climbed. What's really funny is the lead up to the first Gap was VERY similar to Havana Hills here in Tallahassee. At one point, I asked another rider if we were on the Gap yet. She actually giggled and said "No, you'll know when we are on the Gap." Holy crap, I thought. So, I made it thru that 12 miles Gap feeling tired but okay. We took a short descent, made a left turn and BAM we were going up again - This was Wolfpen - the second hardest of all the Gaps. It was 2.8 miles long. All I can say is OH MY FRICKING GOD! That was the longest 2.8 miles ever. And going up is a laughable understatement. I think that I made it a mile and a half before I had to stop. No walking - just resting. That's when the skinny butts started passing me saying things like "you are doing so well" After about 5 or 6 or them I really started to get pissed off. I was ahead of their ass at that point - and they were talking to me like I was some sort of special olympics person. I guess cause I am rear ended challenged. I don't know but shortly there after I started making equally as insulting comments back to them. I guess I feel slightly guilty about that now. Not! So after finally reaching the top, watching myself roll over a safety pin, repairing my flat tire and deliriously climbing back on the bike, I had another short descent. And then climbed the third Gap (WOODY) I do not remember anything about this climb. Imagine that? I do however remember the WOODY descent. OH MY GOD - that was fun! I was about 15 miles of down. I loved it! I rode along with some really nice motorcyclists for a while that showed me the correct lines to take and after getting over my fear of dying, I flew down! If I had known, while doing all that UP, that I was going to get that reward, I would have been a little more motivated. Next time, I'll know. So, that's my story. I got a serious inner thigh cramp at the top of Woldpen and it returned for the last 3 miles but other than that - my body held up. I cannot wait for next year! Hopefully, I'll be a little lighter and wiser. So, I was there. But I only set the goal of 3 Gap for myself AND I managed to do it. To this day, it is all a blur and I really don’t believe I did it. I can remember bits and pieces and I can remember my utter uncomfortableness but I guess it’s like child birth - how quickly you forget….so I’ve heard.

I was one of the folks on Neels thinking “What the HELL have I gotten myself in to?” I knew it would be hilly but I guess I expected some sort of leveling off……not a constant 7 miles uppppppp! I kept expecting to turn a corner and find a level spot to atleast get some sort of relief. I was so wrong. Constant climbing. After about 3 or 4 miles I figured this out and had a “come to Jesus” moment. I was going to have to change my mind set. So, I changed my body position, dug in and climbed.

What’s really funny is the lead up to the first Gap was VERY similar to Havana Hills here in Tallahassee. At one point, I asked another rider if we were on the Gap yet. She actually giggled and said “No, you’ll know when we are on the Gap.” Holy crap, I thought.

So, I made it thru that 12 miles Gap feeling tired but okay. We took a short descent, made a left turn and BAM we were going up again - This was Wolfpen - the second hardest of all the Gaps. It was 2.8 miles long. All I can say is OH MY FRICKING GOD! That was the longest 2.8 miles ever. And going up is a laughable understatement. I think that I made it a mile and a half before I had to stop. No walking - just resting. That’s when the skinny butts started passing me saying things like “you are doing so well” After about 5 or 6 or them I really started to get pissed off. I was ahead of their ass at that point - and they were talking to me like I was some sort of special olympics person. I guess cause I am rear ended challenged. I don’t know but shortly there after I started making equally as insulting comments back to them. I guess I feel slightly guilty about that now. Not!

So after finally reaching the top, watching myself roll over a safety pin, repairing my flat tire and deliriously climbing back on the bike, I had another short descent.

And then climbed the third Gap (WOODY) I do not remember anything about this climb. Imagine that?

I do however remember the WOODY descent. OH MY GOD - that was fun! I was about 15 miles of down. I loved it! I rode along with some really nice motorcyclists for a while that showed me the correct lines to take and after getting over my fear of dying, I flew down!

If I had known, while doing all that UP, that I was going to get that reward, I would have been a little more motivated. Next time, I’ll know.

So, that’s my story. I got a serious inner thigh cramp at the top of Woldpen and it returned for the last 3 miles but other than that - my body held up.

I cannot wait for next year! Hopefully, I’ll be a little lighter and wiser.

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