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General Category >> Ride Reports >> Robert is an evil, evil man...
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Message started by aikigreg on Mar 19^th, 2009, 9:32pm

Title: Robert is an evil, evil man...
Post by aikigreg on Mar 19^th, 2009, 9:32pm

Got 60 miles in today and after reading Robert's reply to my Tuesday ride, thought I'd tackle this hill that was steeper than Burton Hill Road, and try out his route down Byers to Roaring Springs.

[smiley=puking.gif]

'Niff said. I made it within ten feet of the top of Merritt/Merrick drive before barely unclipping and bailing. I only have a 28 in the back and it just ain't going to get me up an 18% grade. [smiley=jawdrop.gif] I felt so ashamed! Then it gives you a little flat part before climbing again about the same slope as Burton Hill - 10 to 13%

The ride down Roaring Springs back to White Settlement is *FUN* Great pavement and plenty of room. I hit 46 and stopped at the QT at the bottom before going back up White Settlement and BACK up Burton Hill road for my second hill climb, this time up Burton Hill, which i was able to do in at least one stronger gear than I did on Tuesday. Hopefully I can get rid of some of this lard and actually start being able to climb. [smiley=headbang.gif]

Anyway, when I got close to home, I was still shy of the mileage that Coach wanted, so I took off up Bellaire drive. I've always only ridden it a couple miles and turned off at a park trail to go up to Banbrook lake (which i eventually did anyway). Today I followed it to the end and beginning at the part I hadn't ridden before it has a decent upslope and goes a couple miles. Not challenging in slope, but we don't often see roads that are uphill for that long. I think Bellaire will be my new night training road. It's as long as Joe Pool dam without the bugs. Not much traffic either.

I forgot my HR monitor but here are the totals:
17.6 average
63.66 miles
2283 feet of climbing - pretty good for not really having many hills available.

what a great day.

Title: Re: Robert is an evil, evil man...
Post by aikigreg on Mar 19^th, 2009, 9:33pm

I keep thinking about this Burton hill and the long downhill with flat top and bottom. This would make a GREAT recumbent time trial course. There's even a school parking lot to stage from.

hmmmm.....

Title: Re: Robert is an evil, evil man...
Post by robert.j on Mar 20^th, 2009, 8:35am

Since you're so happy with my previous suggestions, here's another one. From where the bike trail from Benbrook intersects Bellaire, head south on Bellaire and at the first (I think) stop sign, turn left on Oakmont. That's a pretty good climb from that turn up to Bryant Irving road. Not quite in Burton Hill's league, but nevertheless a pretty good hill. Turn right on Bryant Irving and the next street to the right is Bellaire. It would make a nice loop I'm supposing not far from where you live. Yup, Bryant Irving is a lousy road for bikes, but you're only on it a very short distance. At least it's three lanes each direction.
I'm one of those weird types that actually goes looking for hills to climb so I've pretty much got them all scoped out on the west side of FW. Burton Hill is the best IMHO. There's a bunch of shorter but steep hills in the Ridgmar neighborhood, on your left as your headed down Roaring Springs.
Don't know about it being a good time trial course. I really suspect a lot of the bents would be walking, though it's good workout for many of you stronger riders.
A long time ago (1970s) the speed limit on Roaring Springs was 30 mph. It was a gas passing on the left side of the cars and smiling at the drivers as you zipped by!