Brew to Horn Mountain - Most Excellent Day with the Guys

Rolling out early with (left to Right) Peter, Keith at the lead, Mike, Gary

More Pictures Below

GARMIN RIDE DATA
STRAVA RIDE DATA

Route:

Distance: 82.5 miles

Avg. Moving Speed:  14.8 mph

Moving Time: 5:14:26

Total Time:  5:52:03

Ride Total TSS: 276 ( 0.7 IF)

Group:

Mike, Peter, Gary, Keith and me

Goal:

Enjoy the ride with the guys and see what I can do on Horn Mt.

Ride Description:

A most excellent day is the best way for me to describe today. Awesome group of guys, awesome route, awesome weather and a pretty good performance on the bike.

We rolled out of the brewery around 8:30 this morning with slightly cool temps. I was a little chilly at the start with just a summer kit only, but it did not take long for me to warm up. Our goal before the ride was not a hammerfest. Our goal was to make our march northwest at a calm pace toward Horn Mountain.

I felt pretty good on Horn Mountain climb (data posted below), but I came close to blowing up as I pushed a little too hard too soon. Fortunately I was able to regain composure and make it to the crest. The descent I played with caution. Once we turned on Everrett Loop, known to us as the Pocket, the fun began. Peter said as I started rolling in the front, "just pretend I am not here and go" and I went. I had a pretty good turn on the front and then Peter took the helm for the remainder of the miles to the store stop pushing a more intense pace. I think every time I looked at the computer we were right at 26 to 30 mph and we averaged 20 mph for 30 minutes straight (data posted below) through the low rolling terrain. Toward the last few miles I started getting concerned that I was using up too much with still a bunch of miles remaining.

We took a bit of time at the store and then rolled out for the last 25 miles or so. We still had the 75 Hill in front of us and when we got there Gary put on a good solid pace. We regrouped at the top and pretty much finished the remaining miles at a calmer pace.

This was an excellent day out with the guys. It had a little bit of everything from flat, to rolling hills, to a steep climb, twisty descent and great weather.

Nutrition Intake During and after the Course:

24 oz from Bottle #1 water, Glutamine,BCAA maltodextrin
24 oz from Bottle #2 water, Glutamine,BCAA maltodextrin
Hammer gel @ mile 20
1/2 Cliff Bar @ mile 30
Cliff Bar @ mile 54
Post Ride | 30 gram protein drink, 1/2 Cliff Bar
Home | 12" Subway Chicken sandwich

Bike: 

LOOK 585, Garmin 800, Powertap SL+

Overall Powertap Data: 

Horn Mountain:

Duration: 16:13

Work: 200 kJ

TSS: 25.1 (intensity factor 0.964)

Norm Power: 212

VI: 1.03

Distance: 1.717 mi

Elevation Gain: 723 ft

Elevation Loss: 0 ft

Grade: 8.1 % (728 ft)

Min Max Avg

Power: 74 366 206 watts

Cadence: 50 119 64 rpm

Speed: 4.7 9.6 6.4 mph

Pace 6:16 12:42 9:27 min/mi

Crank Torque: 52 498 278 lb-in

Temperature: 62.6 68 65.6 Fahrenheit

 

The Pocket:

Duration: 31:52

Work: 263 kJ

TSS: 28.9 (intensity factor 0.737)

Norm Power: 162

VI: 1.18

Distance: 11.059 mi

Min Max Avg

Power: 0 482 138 watts

Cadence: 8 206 85 rpm

Speed: 0 32.1 20.8 mph

Pace 1:52 0:00 2:53 min/mi

Crank Torque: 0 653 145 lb-in

Temperature: 64.4 75.2 71.9 Fahrenheit

 

Entire workout (111 watts):

Duration: 5:30:43 (5:52:15)

Work: 2206 kJ

TSS: 274.8 (intensity factor 0.707)

Norm Power: 155

VI: 1.4

Distance: 81.882 mi

Elevation Gain: 3030 ft

Elevation Loss: 3056 ft

Min Max Avg

Power: 0 698 111 watts

Cadence: 7 246 76 rpm

Speed: 0 37 14.9 mph

Pace 1:37 0:00 4:02 min/mi

Crank Torque: 0 1051 133 lb-in

 



Peter and Gary



Gary

 

Mike

Gary & Keith

Mike & Peter
 

Gary sporting the Meads Bike Shop jersey

Mike and Me (Jesse)
 



Cycling Addict

Brewery - Horn Mt: Expectations

 

Route: Brewery to Horn Mt (rolling hills, 2 climbs, a few fast flat sections)

Distance: 82.8 miles

Avg. Moving Speed: 16.1

Moving Time: 5:08:50

Total Time: 5:27:07

Ride Total TSS: 305 (0.76 IF)

Group: 

Keith, Mike, Peter, Jamie and me

Goal: 

Hang with the group

The Ride: 

Expectations:

• I wasn't expecting it to rain on us today, but it did for a little while.
• I didn't expect Peter to ride with us, but I am glad he did. That was a pleasant surprise.
• I wasn't sure what to expect out my legs climbing up Horn Mountain.
• I didn't expect to hold up with for the full 82 miles after training this week, but I got it done.

I rolled out of the brewery parking lot at 7 a.m. with Keith and Mike heading toward Adairsville to connect with Jamie and then roll on from there going northwest toward Horn Mountain. Our pace going out was a nice easy warm up and much to our surprise we see Jamie and Peter coming our direction (mile 13). Not long after it started lightly raining on us just about until we reached the base of the mountain climb (mile 38)

The climb up Horn Mountain (mile 38)  is a little less than 2 miles ranging between 5% up to 15% in a couple of spots. I did not push super hard and was the last up the hill, but still needed to drop it to the 34 ring with the 28 cog on some of the steeper sections. Coming off of Horn we all took the descent very cautiously with the wet roads.

Horn Mt Climb (click to enlarge)

Next up was on my all time favorite sections of pavement in Georgia on Everett Springs Road (mile 43 to mile 53). I started the push with Keith quick to jump in and a few mile later Mike, Jamie and Peter came up to join in the fun push to the store stop (mile 54)

Going toward Adairsville we got into some rollers that were stingers in my opinion, or at least in the opinion of my legs. A few more miles and we were shouting, "good-bye" to Jamie and Peter in downtown Adairsville and as the three of us set course toward the brewery. Oh, but then there was "75 Hill" (mile 72 to 74.5) standing as an obstacle between us and the parking lot. One more 2 1/2 mile climb with an average 5% gradient and this one took the wind out my sails. Argh! But the discomfort was short lived and not really that big a deal. I was off the back, but fortunately Keith and Mike slow pedaled and allowed me to catch up and from there we had a few brisk paced sections to get to the cars faster. By this time the sun was finally heating it up so I believe the clouds and rain in the first miles really helped make this more pleasant.

Another great ride in the books with friends.

Nutrition Intake During and after the Course:

24 oz from Bottle #1 water, Glutamine, maltodextrin

24 oz from Bottle #2 water, Glutamine, maltodextrin

Hammer gel @ mile 20

Cliff Bar @ mile 30

Cliff Bar @ mile 54

Post Ride | 30 gram protein drink

Home | grilled chicken breast & veggies

The Weather: 

Partly cloudy skies, very humid @ 67 degrees, on the return @ 77degrees, still air

Bike: 

LOOK 585,  Garmin 800, Powertap SL+

Overall Powertap Data:

Entire workout (120 watts):
    Duration:      5:15:47 (5:27:13)
    Work:          2280 kJ
    TSS:           305.4 (intensity factor 0.763)
    Norm Power:    160
    VI:            1.33
    Distance:      82.776 mi
        Min    Max    Avg
    Power:           0    638    120     watts
    Cadence:         8    246    84     rpm
    Speed:           0    38.2    15.7     mph
    Pace             1:34    0:00    3:49     min/mi
    Altitude:        215    1496    745     ft
    Crank Torque:    0    1608    131     lb-in

 

 Lap 2 - Horn Climb:
    Duration:      16:06
    Work:          206 kJ
    TSS:           29.3 (intensity factor 1.045) (hmm....maybe I need to bump that FTP up soon)
    Norm Power:    219
    VI:            1.03
    Distance:      1.714 mi
    Elevation Gain:        711 ft
    Grade:         8.0 % avg
        Min    Max    Avg
    Power:           0    389    214     watts
    Cadence:         13    94    64     rpm
    Speed:           0    10.3    6.4     mph
    Pace             5:49    0:00    9:24     min/mi
    Crank Torque:    0    543    287     lb-in

 Lap 4 - Everett Springs Road (Pocket):

    Duration:      34:47 (46:13)
    Work:          284 kJ
    TSS:           37.4 (intensity factor 0.803)
    Norm Power:    169
    VI:            1.24
    Distance:      11.542 mi
        Min    Max    Avg
    Power:           0    638    137     watts
    Cadence:         19    246    91     rpm
    Speed:           3.6    29.1    19.9     mph
    Pace             2:04    16:39    3:01     min/mi
    Crank Torque:    0    863    136     lb-in

Adairsville to Horn Mountain

Garmin Connect Ride Data

Quote of the Week: "The worse plan that we can have is a plan not to ride." - Neal Bowers

This week was another week of wondering about the weekend as the weather forecasting from several resources were changing daily and sometimes hourly, but from Tues until Friday we had rain. The forecast showed a small break in the forecast between 7 am to 12 pm. I had posted up the ride information earlier in the week and the plan was Neal would be taking a group from the brewery (80 mile group) and meeting our group (50 mile group) in Adairsville and we all ride out to climb Horn Mountain.

The Group: We had 12 today in our group. The regulars were me, Derek, Tim, Alan, Nancy, Neal, Jamie, Keith, Gary, Rod, Glenn and Don. It was great to have Jamie there wearing her new climbing spirit and looking strong. Keith Bolton and Glenn Hittel were back with us today and looking strong as they did the 80 mile option.

The Ride: The roads we were on were fairly flat so the speeds were into the 20's for a good portion and a bit out of our "winter pace ride" There were also some light head winds to contend with, but with this group of 12 it sure seemed as if everyone was strong enough to hold the pace. It is gives me confidence to ride with these cyclists even when we are bunched up. Everyone seems to be veterans of group cycling and know how to watch out for each other. The flattish type of roads and working with the group I found it hard to keep my wattage up, but our speeds were high.

It was a pretty good day for climbing Horn Mountain. I often get overheated when it gets a bit warmer on this climb, but with the cooler temps today it felt good. The climb is only a couple of miles, but the gradient is fairly steep. It's a good thing we all had jackets and vest available on the descent because it was several minutes of shivering.

Once again we were on flatter roads on the way to the store stop. Keith's tire needed some air so a few of us were off the back of the group, but still me, Glenn and Keith held a fairly steady pace to the store stop. After the store stop I was out in the front and my legs felt ready to again set the pace on the highway despite a little head wind. We stayed at a good speed until we were back in Adairsville and the 80 mile group split from us and headed back to the brewery.

Overall the roads were scenic, traffic low, the group was great, the climb was great and the weather a whole lot better than we expected. On the drive home there was a little rain as forecast indicated but we were able to squeeze in a great day of spinning the pedals in between the clouds.

Route Description: flat, rolling hills, one "gets your attention" type of climb

Weather: Partly cloudy and overcast, cool breezy air, high humidity, start in the low 40 degree (F) and warmed up to the 50's

Nutrition Intake During and after the Course: (1)24oz. bottle with Hammer Heed/10grams Glutamine and BCAA's, (1)Cliff Bar, (2) Accel gels, (1)Post Ride 30gram whey protein drink

Power Data:
It was hard to keep my wattage up with this terrain. I was often in the mid 20's and my watts would be below 100.
Entire workout (112 watts):
    Duration:      3:00:21 (3:23:57)
    Work:          1194 kJ
    TSS:           168.1 (intensity factor 0.753)
    Norm Power:    158
    Distance:      50.007 mi
        Min  /  Max  /  Avg
    Power:           0  /  517  /  112     watts
    Cadence:         29 /   244 /   79     rpm
    Speed:           2.3  /  35.4  /  16.9     mph
    Pace             1:42  /  26:06  /  3:33     min/mi
    Hub Torque:      0  /  449  /  58     lb-in
    Crank Torque:    0  /  697  /  126     lb-in

______________________________________
 Horn Mt Climb:
    Duration:      16:35
    Work:          194 kJ
    TSS:           26 (intensity factor 0.97)
    Norm Power:    204
        Min  /  Max  /  Avg
    Power:           31  /  338   / 195     watts
    Cadence:         48  /  152  /  63     rpm
    Speed:           4.5 /   12  /  6.3     mph
    Pace             5:00 /   13:14 /   9:31     min/mi
    Hub Torque:      28  /  449  /  212     lb-in
    Crank Torque:    17  /  543 /   266     lb-in

White to Horn Mountain - 80 Miles

(click to enlarge images)

(click to enlarge images)

Garmin Connect Ride Data

The route today for some of us started at the brewery for the 80 mile course and for others it started in Adairsville. We met up with the Adairsville group a several miles into our warm up and from there we headed back toward Adairsville and then on up to do Horn Mountain. From there was the fast descent and fast pace in an area called the Pocket until we hit the store stop around the 51 mile marker. Soon after the store stop my legs had about enough of the fast pace so I dropped off the back. Gary, Mike and Edgar stopped for me, but I just had nothing left in my legs to push a descent pace so I sent them on ahead. From about mile 68 to the finish at 79.5 I was on my own so I can't say what or how the group did from that point forward, but I do know I was the last in so everyone made it back safely.

I dare say how many was in the group today, but we had a good turn out and everyone seemed strong except maybe me. I suppose my training during the week did it in for me as each day during the week my hips, hamstrings and quadriceps just kept getting tighter even though I was putting good effort to stretch. I knew I was going to struggle today, but to be honest I didn't care since I had the route and for a change we had great sunny weather.

I have come to the point of acceptance that training with the power meter during the week leaves me less than fresh for these spirited group rides, but I am still happy to complete an eighty mile route even with the fatigue and to boot I didn't cramp once even though I was coming very close to it at the end.

Sure the lower performance is a bummer, but what overshadows that is to look around and see that people in the group are enjoying themselves. There are smiles and there are friends in this group. Someone may ask me if I had a bad day and my answer would be definitely no.

Bad day or Good day is all about perspective.

I had a great day with my cycling my buddies, I completed the 80 miles under fatigue with some spirited pacing at times, the weather was fantastic, the route had variety and we all made it back safely. To me it was a great day for the cycling addiction.