Mark's Cycling & Hiking Blog
  • Home
  • Mark's Cycling Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Boulder Canyon Posts
  • Cycling Event Meet-Ups
  • Home
  • Mark's Cycling Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Boulder Canyon Posts
  • Cycling Event Meet-Ups

Climbing Figueroa, Slowly

3/30/2011

3 Comments

 
Picture
Last day of riding in So. Cal and today was supposed to be sunshine and high in the low 60's.  I regretted not having gotten over to Santa Barbara and doing the Gibraltar, Painted Cave and Old San Marcos climbs and I had really wanted to do the fantastic Refugio climb from the beach all the way to the satellite array.  However, I also had to do Figueroa since I have kept track of my times through the years and it is a kind of fitness gauge for me.  I also dreaded this ride because I arrived in CA a couple of pounds over my normal spring weight and considering what I had consumed while out here, I wasn't any lighter.  I could imagine this climb being a real spirit killer to top of a kind of crummy trip.  

So, left the hotel at 9:30 under heavy maritime fog and worked my way over to Happy Canyon and after 16 miles and 1000' elevation gain, reached the foot of the climb. I wondered about the 1 mile dirt section and if it was passable and wondered about the stream crossings and wondered about turning around and just wondering what my time would have been.  I stopped and stripped down to the basics, drank and ate and chatted with a nice couple who had rolled up on cross bikes and were out for a spin.  OK, no putting it off so I started the clock and pushed off.  The plan was to hit it hard for the first 2+ miles to the dirt section, recoup a bit through there grinding through the dirt and rocks and then recover while coasting down the saddle through the camping area and stream crossings and then just grind out the final 6 miles.  

Felt pretty good and reached the dirt section.  Every time the road took a dip, there was mud and in two places, really deep so there I stopped, climbed on the hill side carrying the bike and then dropped back down.  Can't imagine it would have been rideable the previous days and in fact noted the only tire tracks I saw were mountain bike tires.  Reached the paved section and my bike was carrying a lot of mud but soon that problem relieved itself through 3-4 stream crossings that were not bad, but then picked up more mud.  Finally, the final stream crossing was seen and I noted as I closed on it the water was running fast and kind of deep.  As I got to within a few feet I saw the slimy green algae and wondered if the force of the water, coupled with the slippery surface would send my bike from under me so I gunned it, briefly thought this would be Flyin Tuna's revenge if I went down.  The tires sent up a huge wave that crashed onto my legs and my shoes were soaked but I made it through.  

Now comes the grind, a straight shot up along a canyon that goes on forever but it was kind of neat to be distracted by the water roaring by in the canyon. I had risen above the fog and it was brilliant sun.  Eventually I reached a "T" intersection and went left, where it became very steep in places, always 10+% when I looked down.  I had been fighting a head wind during the previous canyon stretch but turning left gave me a tail wind for most of the way.  This is a climb that never gives a clue about where is the summit.  Each time you round a curve, there is another 100 yard stretch that ends at a corner and then more of the same while always climbing.  I was closing in fast on my 1:30 time that if I beat it I'm in good shape if I exceed it I suck and am the outofshape fatty I suspect I am.  What's this???? A final very steep ramp that I recall as being the end so I stand and sprint (well, ride harder) arrive at the crest and the turnout with a lone pine tree signaling the end, stab at the computer and freeze the time, 1:29:28.   

Well, I coast down to Los Olivos, arrive in Solvang, quickly shower and dress and head to the Greenhouse Cafe for another Spinach Ravioli.  Ended the week with 492 miles (actually not too far below the norm) and 35,000' of climbing. I know I should keep things in perspective and that compared to the weather in Ohio it was much better but if that were my only goal I'd ride around Lexington or Nashville.  Arrived back in Ohio on Tuesday evening. Weighed myself Wednesday morning and huh?????  Was actually the same weight as when I departed so not as bad as I thought.  Will have images to post of a Sunday drive that included some neat views.

3 Comments
Ryan R
3/30/2011 11:18:25 pm

Welcome back to Ohio... did you enjoy the snow yesterday??

Reply
Ryan R
3/30/2011 11:30:44 pm

Welcome back to Ohio... did you enjoy the snow yesterday?

Reply
Ryan R
3/30/2011 11:31:17 pm

Welcome back to Ohio... did you enjoy the duplicate post today?

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Mark is a long-time cyclist, hiker, golfer and plays some table tennis...ok, it's ping pong.

    Categories

    All
    April
    California Riding
    Grand Canyon Backpacking
    March
    The Characters

    Archives

    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    November 2009
    October 2009
    September 2009
    August 2009
    July 2009
    June 2009
    May 2009
    April 2009
    March 2009
    February 2009

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.