Riding TI style. Lot-o-pics.

Invite went out, 2 others accepted. The goal, to Wabasha and back on the hilliest route that could be done on gravel. Just trying to be all that I can be for the Ragnarok and TI. We'd pass by Millville, Theilman, and Dumfries on our way. BD, J-No, and myself arrive at the prescribed time of 5am despite it being only 24 degrees and roll out,.. BD had a hard time breathing in the cold weather and turned back at Millville, leaving J-No and I to carry the torch. We would climb and descend into valleys over and over again. Leaving our legs tired and our body heat fluctuating from the constant change in speed and effort. It is easy to forget to eat and drink on rides at this temp, and we both full victim to that. All in all a great ride, fantastic training, and a fun time. Now just to put the riding to use.

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The Garmin stayed off as it did not charge overnight, but was there to make sure that we did not get lost (we brought no maps). Thanks to Google Earth, I was able to pull up elevation on our climbs.
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Some stats:
Start temp was 24 degrees.
Turn around temp was 23 degrees.
Ending temp was 34 degrees.
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4 climbs between 400 and 450 vertical feet.
3 climbs between 350 and 400 vertical feet.
Several climbs of over 100 feet.

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Start time 5:00am
End time noon.
Actual ride time about 6.5 hours.

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Total calories consumed, 1500.
Total calories that should have been consumed, about 2000.
Total water consumed, about 90 ounces.
Total water that should have been consumed, about 150.

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Total distance a hair over 90 miles.


Some pics.

About to descend into Millville.

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Then there were 2.

Cresting the top of the hardest climb of the day into the sun rising. This climb was close to 450 feet, and incredibly steep the entire way. I could not sit for more than a couple rpms in my lowest gear, 39-27, on this climb. Stand, stand, stand.

They always hype up these roads in the races, so we gobbled those up as well.

When the riding gets tough, J-No gets rolling.

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A brief shortcut to our next hill had us on 4 wheeler trails...

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...and bushwacking our way through brush only to hop some streams.

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Coming out of our one stop at Wabasha I saw this. At this point it is close to 8:30 in the morning and we have been rolling for 45 miles.

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Saw this jackass.

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Bobcat tracks?

Another climb of 400+ ft.

So that was that. Good times.

BTW.