February 14, 2023
Yesterday was nearly a perfect day for a bike ride. It was a beautiful, blue-sky day with a few clouds scattered. Temps were going to be in the mid-70s. There was a wind, but it was from the southwest, and for the ride I had planned, this was favorable. It is a rare occasion that the wind acts so friendly to a bicyclist! I rode the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, out and back, a 60 mile pedal-powered excursion with lots of hills (4,200’ climbing) and wondrous scenic views. The advantage of the wind is it would be at my back, more or less, for over half of the uphill. I would have to fight it, so to speak, on some of the route back, but much it is was downhill.. I’ve said it many times, riding a bike is an exhilarating, uplifting experience. The whole thing was a pleasure, a time to integrate body, mind, and spirit in the great outdoors.
The ride started at Cottonwood Campground, which is at about 2,100’ altitude. The first ten miles are a series of rolling hills, more up than down, with a couple half mile grades pf 10%. From mile 10 to 14, it climbs continuously to reach the high point of around 4,400’. Those four miles are less steep, about 7% average grade. From mile 14 to 23 it is again rolling hills, coming with a decrease of elevation overall, to about 3,400’. That means more climbing on the way back. There are two short steep hills on that stretch with gradient of 13%. Average speed was 13.4 mph, took about 4 ½ hours riding. I stopped to take photographs of course, too. Top speed 38 mph. Could have gone faster but kind of a bumpy road so hit the brakes frequently.
Comments