Right Day for the Right Ride
A Gift
Monte Cristo by itself is always tough. Add Woodruff to the mix and now you have a real ride. The elevation shown above is to the west end of Woodruff. The distance to the store is 64 miles, spot-on. According to this, the climb up is 4,259 feet. The descent is 3,510. Considering I have to climb from the other way, you're looking at something like 7,800 feet climbing for the day For the record, the ride didn't take me 6 hours and 17 minutes (one way), but more like 4 hours 18 minutes - still slower than I'd like.
Today was ideal for making this ride a success. At 06:30, the local temperature was only 52°, with the temperature in Woodruff 44°. The forecast was a chance of afternoon thunder showers between the top of Monte and Woodruff, but I was planning on being over the top before then. By the time I got to the Camp Ground near MP 48, I was convinced that these conditions were too good to pass-up going all the way over. I've made this same ride before, only to turn back at the Camp Ground (the right edge of the flat spot shown at the peak elevation) due to thunderstorms, or simply too hot. Today was a gift, and I was going to make the most of it.
An Oasis in the Mountains
Getting to Woodruff on a bike is no easy task. Today was nice in that traffic was pretty low most of the way. On any day, rolling into the Woodruff Store after a hard climb (and crazy fast descent), is without a doubt like finding an oasis in the mountains. Today I was pleased to have spent time talking to a few of the locals, about almost anything. There are places you might roll into only to find people.........less than happy you are riding through their town. That is certainly not the case in Woodruff, in fact quite opposite. They are perhaps the most friendly of all the places I have chance to visit - anywhere. Their beautiful community is not large, nor opulent, but to me it is a corner of heaven. I love it.
Along with the most pleasant surroundings and people, I regularly seem to run into people from my past. Last year I happened into a guy I knew in college. Today I ran across a former fellow employee. Maybe its just me, but I always enjoy this place. Thanks for your hospitality and great support!
A hurt you simply can't live without
This ride is always tough. It is long and requires some mental toughness to get through - at least for me. Today was no different. Getting to Woodruff was a pretty good push, but I felt okay once I got over the top. The last few miles into town seemed to go on forever - only because I wanted the break. While I was enjoying my Snickers Bar and shot of caffeine and sugar (serious road biking energy), a little storm passed through. When I got back on the road, I noticed some pretty dark clouds looking to pass between me and Monte. As I rode on, there was an occasional "spritz" shower that was actually kind of nice. About ten miles out of town I could hear thunder. By this time I was too far to go back and need to get over the top quickly, but I was still a good twelve miles from the top and a helluva climb still to go. As the rain got a little harder, I could see up on the mountain (where I was going) a pretty good down-pour. As I would pass each little bush, I would consider it for a shelter, but continued to drive on. Soon, the head winds were strong enough to hold be to about 4.5 miles an hour - ridiculous! Knowing that I had the big open hill of about 2 + miles at 7%, without anything to duck under (and being the most likely target for lightning), I made the bad choice to pull off and duck out of the driving rain for a minute.. That was not only a waste, but a big mistake. After about ten minutes I decided I needed to just get up the road as fast as I could. Jumping back on the bike, I didn't wipe my tires off, from the debris I had been in, on the side of the road (idiot!). A couple miles up the road and now well into the open area, I noticed my rear tire going flat (picked up something on the stop). Maybe ten minutes and I was back on the road. The problem with flats like this is you never get the air pressure where you need it. Too much and you pop the tire, not enough and you have more rolling resistance and risk "pinch" flats. Making sure to find and remove the puncture object, I got the pressure where I though it was safe, given the advantage of running 25mm wide tires. The grind was on, but without most of the rain, just a terrible head-wind. At MP 49, I was back into some high easy rollers. A quick stop at the Guard Station for a picture and time to get home.
From about MP 49, it's all in the big ring, even with the wind. From just before MP 44, it's "bomb city". Going across the near flat (okay, 3%) at Little Monte, though MP 43, I was down behind the bars at 45 MPH. From there, it is a series of straights and turns, driving at times at 35 MPH around curves. Down past the snowmobile parking area, it's like warp factor-nine. All the while you just can't seem to get down fast enough. By the time you're at Red Cliff (Cafe), doing 20 MPH feels like your are standing still. By now, you are paying the price for burning everything earlier. With heavier traffic than I like in South Fork Canyon, I chose to divert at MP 22 around past the Monastery and down to Huntsville. With 116 miles and more traffic than I like, I called for a bailout at Huntsville. A satisfactory ride in the books.
I love this ride. It is hard - way hard!, but there is something about Monte that just takes me back. Woodruff is great and I lament every time I turn away at the top, rather than going down. Once you start, you are committed. I've had some less than good experiences climbing back, but when I clear the top, I'm always glad I decided to go all the way to Woodruff. By the time I get to Huntsville, I'm completely wasted. This ride is perfect for a LOTOJA training ride. Lots of climbing, steep grades and significant elevation. It hurts - a lot, but I love it all the same.
Going up this morning, it was Eric and Dwayne in my mind. Coming over the top, going back home it was Floyd. You decide.
Baby..... Ride Hard!
