My first long ride of the season

Well this is a little tableaux of my first long ride of the season. I call it "Day of Tartarus" because 'Hellride' is just so cliche -- even though it is aptly descriptive.

Here is my bike at the start, clean as a whistle and eager as a baby egret to soar!

I chose an audacious route for my long ride; the hope was to do a solid century (160km); however, after about 40km, I realised that the undulations were going to take it out of my legs well before I hit that mark. I thought it wise at that point to gun for around 120 km, which I felt a reasonable goal for so early in the training season. In hindsight, I think this was a wise decision; I could have pressed on for another 40km but would have been shattered by the end -- body like a noodle and fantasizing of rabid Arabian horsemen nipping at my rear wheel.

Anyway, I headed out Quadra, to Tolmie, the Goose, Interurban, W. Saanich, then the dreaded Prospect Lake turnoff. This is the Dantesque wrong turn, and I did indeed wake in a dark wood with the true way lost.



This is definitely a leg-breaker of a road; the grade is always changing. I had to nimbly evade many branches that had fallen from our recent storms. Gravel and also a heavy carpet of pine needles would be a constant source of worry today; however, the Cypress is indeed a solid steed; the back wheel never slid and the bike is decidedly solid -- not twitchy at all, even descending at high speed through corners.


From Prospect Lake, I took the Munn Road turnoff. At this point the sun started to peek out and I disrobed my plastic garment, the windbreaker. I was becoming a bit of a sweat spa on 2 wheels. Munn Road is not as undulating as Prospect Lake Road, but it does feature a couple of pretty savage inclines. My heart rate got up near threshold for the first time on the ride.

There were some really picturesque moments on Munn Road as the sun began to peep through the mists. I had to pass by many kodak moments until a wonderful little burbling stream beckoned my eye.



Once you crest Munn Road there's a wonderful little downhill section where you can pretend you're a Euro-rider in the Giro or Tour. I had to be a bit cautious because of the aforementioned detritus strewn everywhere. Munn Rd. ends at Millstream Road; if you take a right here you'll go up to Caleb Pike, which is one of the local race courses; and, in fact, the only race I've ever won. I chose instead to take a left, and then a quick right at Finlayson Arm. This road is much like Prospect Lake Road, very hilly with no time to rest. There are some real walls on this road, as well as some tortuous descents. It's really fun and you have to pay strict attention. I fear I sanded my brake pads down to nothing here though. Finlayson Arm emerges at Goldstream Park, on the Number 1.

Some jerkoff in a black Jeep squirted by me just before I took this pic leaving about an inch to spare. You wouldn't expect an uptight jerk to be out on such a road; but, there it is, must be vigilant at all times for jag-offs.

At this point I turned the steed around and began the ascent of the Matterhorn. The Malahat was surprisingly clear until I got about a kilometer from the South turnoff to Shawnigan. Then the roadside was a bit slushy. The temperature also really began to drop. However, a couple of years ago when I did this ride -- and it was warmer -- my joints really started to ache; I've noticed this year in particular I'm not having as many joint issues. I think it's because my leg muscles have developed to the point where there isn't as much stress on the joints and connective tissues.

Once I made the turnoff to Shawnigan the road was a bit better, and I was calmer; there is a rumble strip which protects the shoulder; however, it's always a bit nerve-jangling with all the fast-moving highway traffic at my shoulder. At this point I paused to eat a Clif Bar; however, it fell out of my numbed hands into the slush. I was so hungry, however, that I rinsed it with my water bottle and took a couple of big bites. Ah well, what you gonna do? Eat pine needles and bark?

I made my way down to the train tracks, crossed them, and then looked out for the new road up to the subdivision. They've cleared the land there; actually, it's a rather denuded moonscape up there; pretty sad what some people think of as beauty. To put your home in such a pleasant environ and then carve the whole hillside -- it seems madness to me. Anyway, I made my way up the new road there. I'd totally forgotten how long this climb is. It goes on and on for easily 5 kilometers. It ended at a sort of temporary road block.

I knew the climb was worth it though; it had become a spectacular day; the clouds had lifted and the ocean lay glimmering far below. Essentially, this is the highest point on the Malahat. Luckily for me, the construction company had its little mobile office up there, as well as a porta-john; so I took the opportunity to attend to nature. Perhaps I could have done better with the vista provided me; I'm not much for reading manuals; perhaps some day I will develop a zealousness for technical things. Perhaps not.

It was nice to descend finally; however, I knew the truism "what goes up..." has its converse to be obeyed; but, I thought, if I could refresh in Shawnigan Lake with some sugary stuff I might get the elan back in my legs. Didn't quite turn out that way but I did manage a nice shot of the lake.

From there I decided rather than circumnavigate the lake (take the west route, then return on the east) I would just go into the village on the East side and then return the same way. Even 2 kilometers extra at this point was vexing my soul. I found a corner store there where I provisioned with some hot chocolate and a really bad giant cookie. It was all frangible and turned to dust when I bit into it. I like good, chewy cookies.

I found the route out pretty easy until I hit the tail end of the lake and then basically you climb the Malahat again from this point. From this point until I hit the highway is kind of a blur. I hit threshold again several times; I was going pretty good but it was getting painful. The descent was very nice; the road was clear and I ripped off 10 kilometers in about 15 minutes. I commemorated the 100km mark with a photo.

I was really bonked out at this point. My brakes had taken a real grinding and I knew I had to get them replaced. However, it seemed like quite a chore to pull in to Gerry's. I decided just to head home and deal with it later. However, as I made my way home I realised that I wouldn't really have any opportunity to get the bike serviced until I return from Kelowna, and then I'd only have one day before I left for Thetis Island. So, reluctantly, cold and hungry, I pulled in to Fort Street Cycle.

They didn't seem to be doing much business today so I was lucky to find the mechanic available. He seemed less than enthused to help me out which sort of irked me; and then he only did the front brakes whereas the rear actually needed replacement more urgently. What are you going to do though? I was too tired to complain.

All in all, a great day in the saddle. I hope I can have many more before the season begins. These are the kind of days that really boost fitness. The bike was a bit worse for wear however!