This is a long one folks....so sit back with a cup of hot java and prepare to relive the Climb to Kaiser with Karen, Roy & I!
Well, the Climb to Kaiser can be summed up in a single word: extreme! It was a day of extremes: extreme heat in the morning (it was 105 degrees at 7:30pm Friday nite when we arrived so we knew it would be a hot one), extreme wet (it poured on us coming down Kaiser peak and along Tamarack Ridge), extreme climbing (when the route description said 'steep' it meant steep!), extreme downhills (made the climbing almost worth it), extreme pain (yep, my legs cramped again during the last 20 miles) and extreme exhiliration (Karen, Roy and I all finished!!!!!). (Actually, we lucked up with the heat. Because of the high clouds and eventual raid, it wasn't extremely hot at the higher elevations)
We all gathered in Karen's and my motel room Friday nite. Roy was woofing down a pre-ride meal of Taco Bell while Karen was busily getting her clothes ready for the next day. I read the route sheet out loud while munching on some of Karen's peanut M&Ms. Karen, Roy and I studied the course layout and were mentally prepared for a hard day of riding. The sheet explained the 13% climbs, stretches of 16% , etc. Karen was great in providing bay area comparisons: 'OK, it's 2 Hicks, a Highway 9, a Bohlman, etc'. We were yakking quite a bit...yes, the nervous anxiety was definitely there. Mentally, we were ready (also thanks to Ron Tsurumoto, Jim Molinari, and Pete Klein who had shared their 'special Kaiser moments' with us ahead of time). Now let's just hope our bodies complied!
It was a mass start (146 riders) at 5:30am, just as the sun was riding. Karen, Roy and I were glad we started with the pack instead of riding straight from the motel 'cause it was nice to roll along fast in the flats for the first 20 miles. There were 3 tandems that I counted (Brian & Judy, you're next!) Roy was off the front quickly and we never saw him again until he was coming down Kaiser Peak, as we started up it. We could tell he was going to have a good day. The climbing started around mile 21. The rest stop at Tollhouse was great.....homemade Tollhouse cookies for the riders to enjoy. Before I forget, let me say that this was the best supported ride I've been on. At each and every rest stop, someone held your bike for you and filled up your water bottles. When we dropped back down into the extreme heat, we were greeted at the rest stop with cold, wet towels put on our shoulders, spray bottles misting our legs/bodies, a plastic pool with water to soak our feet, and popsicles! The meal at the end was barbequed chicken, chili (which I scarfed down even though I don't 'like' chili!), salad, bread, cake! Along the route, everyone was encouraging you along. And at the end, everyone was clapping as you arrived at the park! A local TV station covered the route the entire day......saw that video camera all the time...seemed to be everywhere! Anyone know someone in Fresno who can tape the news when they show it?---we want to see if we're on TV! And the scenery? Spectacular...although I have to admit I spent more time focused on the pavement ahead of me than the gorgeous views. Shaver Lake and Huntington Lakes are beautiful. And I'm sure the climb out of Big Creek was probably pretty...just couldn't give you any details.
Now back to the ride. After the Tollhouse rest stop, the REAL climbing began. Total climb was about 7 miles, but the kicker was at the end: about a mile or more of at least 13%. Then we hit Highway 168 and a little more climbing up to Shaver Lake. Shaver Lake was pretty but no time to enjoy: time to start preparing for the climb out of Big Creek and up to Huntington Lake. What a climb! 3+ miles of 13-15% with a short stretch of 16% (can you say 'traverse'?!) I was feeling pretty good on the 13-15% (definition of 'good' here simply means mentally prepared for a long haul!) but felt like my lungs were going to blow up on the 16% stretch. Fortunuately, the road was just wide enough to do a bit of traversing and get the heart rate down a smidgeon.
Lunch was Huntington Lake. Again, a beautiful area. I spent quite a bit of time at both the Shaver Lake and Huntington Lake stops, trying to get some food down. I could tell I was having the same problems as at Death Ride....no real appetite, hard time eating. Fortunately I carried 5 Gu's with me...and ate every one of them throughout the day! Karen was eating well....she scarfed down a good lunch! From Huntington Lake, we started the climb to the ultimate goal: Kaiser Peak 92,000ft altitude! It was a 7-mile climb with the last 1-2 miles of about 13% again (lucky 13 was with us all day!). When I was near the top, a guy was coming down and said 'it's just around the corner!'. HAH! Just around the corner meant about another 1/2-3/4 mile! Never listen to folks who are DESCENDING....they're judgement is always screwed! Or maybe the judgement of ascenders is screwed: 200 yards feels like 200 miles! Anyway, got to the top just as it was starting to rain.
Waited at the top for awhile, hoping the rain would pass then figured it wouldn't so headed back down. Saw Karen coming up. I carefully thought about the distance and told her 'less than a 1/2 mile to the top'. (I was very glad at the finish that she said in fact that it WAS less than 1/2 mile!). The descent was slow, as the roads were narrow and getting very wet. Continued raining, actually pouring, as we turned left and headed towards Tamarack Ridge. I met up with 2 guys from UCLA cycling team, which made it easier to keep riding in such conditions. Fortunately, the rain stopped before the extreme descent off of Tamarack Ridge. GOOD FOR ROY: HE STAYED AHEAD OF THE RAIN ALL DAY!!!
Got to the rest stop back at Shaver Lake and was actually feeling a little hungry. Stayed for quite awhile trying to get some food down. Karen arrived and then the 4 of us- Karen, I and the 2 UCLA guys - rode the rest of the ride together. It was very enjoyable riding with them. They pulled us down the descents and along the flats (a little head wind). I was tucking and tucking on the descents but still had trouble keeping up with all of 'em. The last 20 miles were pure hell for me. My legs started major cramping.
Karen was WONDERFUL! We'd stop and she would rub my calves (even after I sprayed smelly Kool N Fit on them). That would allow me to ride a bit farther. I had to keep just the right amount of pressure on the pedals to be able to pedal at all, any less or more would result in total seizure. Thanks to Larry, John, and especially Karen, though, I made it through those especially painful final 8 miles. How exhilirated we all were at the finish! Remember finishing your first Davis Double? That same feeling!
Total miles: 155
Total elevation: 13,900 (Karen, I think yours registered higher. If so let
me know, 'cause I'll use it!)
Elapsed times: Roy was 12hrs, Karen & I were 12:45.
Tougher than the Death Ride? Definitely because of the steep climbs!
Tougher than Terrible Two? Debatable....tougher for me 'cause of cramping,
easier for Karen 'cause shorter distance.
We all showered and then hit the road back home. Driving back on I-5 I found legs wanting to move in a circular motion! It was an uneventful drive home....except for the double cheeseburger craving that hit at 10:30pm. Thank goodness for those Golden Arches along I-5!
Karen, Roy and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this ride for anyone who likes extremes!
(p.s. time for me to find out what kind of mineral/vitamin deficit I have!)