Cinco de BIKE-O

The Ride: High Cliff

Miles: 30.0

Time: 2:13

Ave. Speed: 13.2 mph

Weather: Beautiful! Sunny, 68- 72, Wind 10-12 mph

2018 Season Outdoor Miles: 305.4

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The Story

I have to say, that was one heck of a way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo today.

After a couple of hours of yard work in the morning, I took off to Christine's Fresh Market, one of the sponsors of my PhilCast show, to check out her Cinco de Mayo samples and specials.

A healthy lunch of tamales and nacho tots as you can see...

"Nacho Tots"

Needless to say I was fueled up for a ride after this lunch.

(I only ate a small portion of the nacho tots, knowing the plan was go out and challenge myself on the bike after the meal)

I had the entire afternoon to myself and Mother Nature sure was cooperating. My plan was to see if I could make it all the way out to High Cliff State Park and perhaps attempt the climb up to the lookout tower if I felt up to it.

For the entire 13 miles heading to the park it's all about saving your legs for the climb. I decided to give it a try.

Boy it sure was tough, and I was in the easier gear I have on the bike. A guy went past me at about halfway through the climb. He didn't look like a 'rider' either, just a guy out riding his bike on a nice day.

Humbling.

But guess what? In the final stretch of the climb when the gradient spikes to it's worst I noticed I was making great gains on him, as he was now rocking back and forth and struggling mightily while my steady and smooth roadie approach had served me well.

I did it.

I made the High Cliff tower climb on my first try this young season.

Once on top I stopped to take in the view of the lake that never gets old, have a banana and a drink, then hit the road for the long haul back.

No issues.

Mission accomplished.

There is a very cold beer in my near future and a rocking chair in my three-season room waiting for me.

This one was sweet!