Upon completion of our bike trip to Manhattan (previous post), we had to make our return home. So as we made our way by car the next day, we planned to make a stop over in Lake Placid. We love Lake Placid - its a great town, and is also the place where we completed our first Ironman! If you go there any weekend from May to July, you will surely see triathletes there in town to train for a weekend in preparation for the race every July.
Our purpose though was very specific - we had a mission. Located just outside of Lake Placid there stands a mountain - a very tall one - known as Whiteface Mountain. It is well known as one of the best/hardest bike climbs in the Eastern States, and we were itching to give it a go.
Here's the background - 2 years ago, my brother and I made an attempt up the mountain, but at about the 3km mark we were stopped at the toll booth (that we didn't know was there), and told we could not ride up any further because of the time of day - cyclists were only allowed to ascend during certain hours, so it was a bust. Last year, my uncle went down to do some training with friends and they went to climb the mountain, but had terrible weather, so they drove up beyond the tolls, and rode the rest from there. So, this had been over 2 years in waiting on the 'wish list', with neither of us having been able to complete the ride.
OK, back to the attempt. This time, neither weather or timing would be a problem. We had arrived at around 4:30pm, and knew the mountain cleared of vehicles by then, so we could get to the top! The weather was great also, so the only thing that could stop us... the mountain. Needless to say, we were both riding on 'less than fresh' legs :-) After all, we had just ridden our bikes over 1000 km's in the past 5 days, but hey, you only go around once right? And if it doesn't kill ya.... we had to give it a go! We agreed that we each would just ride our own pace, and meet at the top. We looked way up, and could see some sort of building at the top and looked back at each other with the understanding - there is no easy way. We each took a deep breath, hit the start button on our watches and were off.
Now, in spite of my tired legs I was not going to just take it easy going up this beast (thought that really isn't an option, as I'd find out). I had decided I was going for my best time, trashed legs and all - after all it was my first attempt so any finish would be a new best.
I took off and started spinning the legs good. The grade starts right away though, so there is no easing into things. Within minutes, I am breathing hard, unzipping the front of my jersey all the way to let the air cool the body and make it easier to breath (though that is relative!). Very shortly, my legs start burning like crazy. It feels like complete fire. I know I have a long way to go, so I try and settle into a groove, but its not easy and the mind games start - 'Where's that toll booth? I ask myself. Ugh, I'm not even there yet. Man this hurts'. I keep grinding, it doesn't get easier. Finally I reach the tolls. Nobody there to stop me this time, ok, that's good, keep climbing, I'm on to new terrain.
I look ahead of me and all I see is a continuous uphill of pavement, with no real end in sight. I can't see the top of the mountain, due to the trees, so all I can do is keep pushing. Soon I see a sign that reads something like 2600ft above sea level. Alright, I think - that's progress. I keep riding, the fire I felt in my legs had gone away, the body had managed the lactic acid build up from earlier, and I was starting to find a groove. I was feeling better, but it was not getting easier. The grade was constant, no flattening out, relentless. Another sign, 2800ft, and again 3200ft. These served as minor encouragement, I was going up, I was making progress, but it was tough! I thought back to my uncle, 'how's he doing? I know his legs are pretty fried, he won't quit, he'll meet me up there... keep going.'
I look down at my computer - 13 kilometers from bottom to top. I see a sign at the top - 4867ft Above Sea Level. I look at my watch 1hr, 6 mins
The ride back down the mountain was exhilarating, to say the least. How fast you want to go, is up to you and your courage. Neither of us were in the mood to wipe out, so we stayed on the brakes and in control - that being said, I hit 85km/hr on the way back down :-)
This ride was one of the coolest things I have ever done on a bike! I have replayed the experience in my mind many times over since that day, and have wished that I lived closer to such a climb! Not to worry though, in another month I am going back to watch my uncle and another friend race in Lake Placid, and guess what else I'll be doing? You got it - climbing up Whiteface to try and beat my time! :-)
Thanks for reading,
Jon
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