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