Dedicated to "MJ"

It is not often throughout the course of a riding season, perhaps once or twice, that I dedicate a ride to someone, but such was the case on this blistering-hot Saturday afternoon in Wisconsin.

Sunny and 90 degrees with a dew point of 69! You sweat just thinking on a day like today. The weather experts say it's a 'feels like' temperature of 95 degrees. But truth be told, I DO love riding in the hot weather.

I do not take dedication rides lightly. After all, you don't go dedicating just an 'average' ride. Nope. If I am going to dedicate a ride to someone there is strong reason to do so, and it has to be a big-effort ride on my part. It has to be a challenge. It has to represent pushing myself to somewhere I am not comfortable with on the bike.

That's the place I took myself today when I did the monster climb at High Cliff State Park not once, but twice, back-to-back in the heat.

On the way out to High Cliff the farms were in fine fashion. I thought about MJ as I rode, looking out at corn fields as far as the eye could see. MJ hasn't seen that.

But he will.

On my right the soybean fields went on forever, until meeting a tree line in the distance that seemed to rub up against a deep-blue sky dotted by white clouds. This was spectacular summertime weather. The sky the bluest of blue.

MJ has not experienced that sky.

But he will.

When I entered the park after riding about 12 miles to get there I turned right where I usually turn left onto the big hill. I had never gone right before and often wondered what's down that way. Today was the day to find out.

It was a beautiful spot to take a brief rest.

There is a marina and a small park along the break wall you see.

What you do not see was the white caps dancing atop the waves of the lake, as the wind was blowing at a rather steady 10-15 miles an hour.

MJ has never seen white caps on a lake.

But he will.

The wind-driven air smelled fresh while I snapped a picture. MJ has never smelled that smell.

But he will.

The time had come to make a decision. Heading into this ride I wasn't even sure I would attempt the big climb today. But this was a dedication ride going out to MJ. I HAD to do something special. Decision made. Yes, I would do the climb.

Into the small chain ring I went, taking my time slowly making my way up, up, up. But by the time I got to the final and steepest portion right at the end of the hill I was only going four miles an hour. I was suffering.

But I was also thinking about MJ and the fact that I was dedicating this ride to him. That helped inspire me to get to the top, where I was exhausted. Then it hit me. Do it again.

Yes sir, THAT would make this dedication ride special indeed.

So I turned around, let myself fly down the descent to the stop signs at the bottom intersection where I turned right around and tackled the beast again!

Up, up, up.

Funny how on the second time around I actually felt better than the first climb. The first time up I was taking it too easy earlier in the climb and had no momentum, which I do not think is the best strategy. It seemed to work better for me if I came into that steepest portion with some momentum, which I was able to do the second time around.

What a great feeling of accomplishment as I rode up yet another hill to the ranger lookout tower, where I saw a handful of white pelicans gracefully riding the wind above the water.

MJ has never seen such a majestic bird.

But he will.

It was time to head back now, fueled by a single Hammer Gel chocolate energy pop along the way. I kept waiting for the usual event at this point in a tough ride, my quads wanting to cramp up. Not this time. I had great legs today all the way to the end of the 33 miles, even with the double High Cliff climb behind me.

Dew point of almost 70 and a temp of almost 90 with sun beating down on me, but I never even felt cooked today as I thought of dedicating this effort to MJ to keep me going.

MJ doesn't know me yet.

But he will.

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RIDE ROUTE

High Cliff Climb (WITH BACK-TO-BACK CLIMBS!)

33.0 miles

Average Speed= 12.5 mph

Sunny, Hot, Humid, 89 degrees w/dew point 69

Wind 10-15 mph

2020 SEASON MILES

Indoor: 125.6

Outdoor: 1,046