Today's Ride ~ Sunshine Mountain

Our local trail is called Las Llajas. I've been riding it for a couple of years now.  I think of it in several parts:

• To the "Y" - from our house to where the trail splits, it is 4.65 miles.  To the left is a cattle ranch, to the right the trail continues.
• To the oil well - another .25 miles.
• To Sunshine Mountain - another .73 miles

Since my marathon, I've been riding either to the Y or up to the oil well.  It makes for a good 9 or 10 mile ride, and takes about an hour.  Just before I headed out today, Les said, "Push it on up to Sunshine Mountain today." 

I rode to the oil well, then made the turn that would take me on up.  This section has an average grade of 13.1% and maxes out at over 20%. 

 

I gave myself lots of excuses and turn around points, but in the back of my mind I heard, "Push it on up to Sunshine Mountain today."  As I got closer to the top, I remember I'm hard core and that settled it for me.  To the top of Sunshine Mountain I went!

This is at the top.  It was pretty damp out this morning, so not only was I sweaty, I was muddy!

It took just under an hour to get to the top.  It took me 15 minutes and 43 seconds to ride 0.73 of a mile!  It's really that hard!  My heart rate was in the 150s and hit 162.  My heart rate quickly dropped as soon as I stopped to drink some water and take pictures. After a little cruise around the top, I headed back down ~ that's the fun part!

12.15 miles in 1:33:11,  7.8 mph ave.
Ave HR 134
Max 162
Calories burned 737