10.1.06

Mt. Lemmon

Mt. Lemmon climb facts:
  1. Stands 9,150 feet tall
  2. One long 27 mile road climbs the mountain
  3. Base elevation around 2,000 feet
  4. 3 major viewpoints on the mountain--7 Cataracts at 4,000 feet, Windy Point at 6,000 feet, and Ski Summit at--you guessed it--9,150 feet
  5. Temperature at the bottom 75 degrees. Temperatue at the top 50 degrees and windy.
  6. Snow at Ski Summit--0 inches. Dry as a bone!
  7. Number of riders passed climbing the mountain: 0
  8. Number of riders passed descending the mountain: at least 20
  9. Average speed of descent--30 mph
  10. Max speed of descent--36 mph
  11. Total elevation gain--8,000 feet (due to small downhill to uphill sections of the mtn road)
  12. Fuel on the bike: 3 servings of hammer gel, 2 servings of HEED
  13. Climbing time: 2 hours, 45 minutes
  14. Descending time: about 1 hour
  15. Total ride time: 4 hours, 16 minutes

You have no idea. How big. This mountain is. Until you climb it.

You can look at it from Tucson and think that it's pretty tall.

You can drive up the mountain in a car and look at the amazing views.

But you can NEVER appreciate this mountain until you climb it on a bike. 27 miles of sheer joy. The views are astounding. The road is smooth and freshly paved. The corners are breathtaking. Each and every foot you climb is hard-earned work.

I have never tackeled a climb this big before--hell, I've never even climbed a mountain HALF as big as Mt. Lemmon before--but I felt great the entire way. Despite 39-23 gearing on the bike, the climb was fantastic for both the legs and the mind. I was absolutely ecstatic when we finally reached the top--it was an awesome achievement to be able to conqueor that mountain and still feel strong.

Today is over. Mt. Lemmon will always be there. In the backround. Looming over Tucson, AZ like an animal stalking it's prey.

I have ridden up Mt. Lemmon today. What did you do?

Team publicity: http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006601100517

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