Terrain of Truth

Like some cyclists I know I have a strange predilection for climbing hills, long steep hills. I refer to hills as the "terrain of truth" because there's no way to hide your weaknesses on a hill. I used to be a really strong climber, back in my younger days. Now I mostly struggle up them like the majority of cyclists, but this doesn't mean I like them any less. Almost every one of my training rides for the LIVESTRONG Challenge has included a hill (or two) of some kind.

Today, spurred on by a conversation with a colleague at work, I decided to try climbing Hicks Road, one of the real quad-busters in our area. The south side is less steep so I looped around through New Almaden, an interesting little town that time has mostly forgotten (except for a few multi-million dollar mansions that are popping up here and there). I figured I had put enough miles in my legs to not destroy my knees although this didn't make the climb any easier. Riding near my anaerobic threshold most of the way I could feel the lactic acid building up in my legs. Also, sunscreen-laced sweat ran into my eyes which were being simultaneously besieged by the infamous Hicks summer gnats. To say I was ready to turn around and take the long way back home on flatter roads would be something of an understatement. I persevered, however, and made it to the top cursing that blasted hill. The loop did give me some extra miles and I'm even closer to being back on track. And I received a donation from Tasmania today! Garrett, our 8-year old son, would say to that: "Maximum awesomeness!"

Mileage so far: 212
Projected mileage: 495
Days left: 24