Slaterville 100

Yesterday I attempted a metric century, which is 62.5 miles. This wouldn't have been an issue if it had been an all-pavement and road bike endeavor. Well, maybe that's not entirely true. I am still fighting a lingering cough from the cold a few weeks back and I am way down on my mileage this year. Whatever the excuses, I finished half of the Slaterville 100, which was a mix of pavement and seasonal use (gravel/dirt) roads. It was organized by Cayuga Ski and Cycle and was a very challenging course. A group of riders on everything from cyclocross bikes to fixies met at the Brooktondale Market for a 10am roll-out. There were cue sheets with a good map and elevation profile distributed. Right out of the parking lot there was a steep climb and I began to question my ability to complete the ride in total. My initial plan was to ride the first half and evaluate my condition to continue or call it a day.

The group quickly divided into a front and rear pack with a few folks in between - including myself. After the first climb I realized I wasn't in the condition to keep up with the front group and would probably be riding by myself for the day. That was ok as it is how I am most used to riding. A cold wind (it was in the upper 40s) cut through my clothing so I appreciated the climbs to keep warm and didn't stop for many pictures although the fall scenery in the southern tier was brilliant. We wound our way through an area around Route 79 surrounding Slaterville. While the ride was advertised as 90% dirt roads, this wasn't necessarily the case, which at points was frustrating but still ok. The ride was very well marked (only missed one turn and was able to easily reconnect with the route).

About 20 miles into the ride we encountered Beam Hill. Let's talk a bit about Beam Hill. This is no ordinary hill. No, Beam Hill is a grueling, punishing, hold you down and kick you again, hill. I enjoy climbing. I prefer climbing to going downhill. I know, this is probably a sadistic, masochistic condition. I enjoy the challenge, the taste of blood in the mouth as you push the body a little past the physical edge, the split second decisions needed to pick the right line, the sense of accomplishment that comes when you hit the top and spin out a little to let the burn subside in the quads. Well, let's just say Beam Hill might have rewarded some with that but not me. I knew this was going to be a grandpappy of climbs before we hit it because earlier this summer I tried to drive my brother's car up it and, well, had to back down it because it was too steep and rocky. On a bike, I was ok on the climb through the paved section - I was going slow but making progress. Kind of a "slow and steady wins the race" situation. The paved section gradually kicks up, increasing in steepness until the road changes to gravel. At this point, I knew things were going to be ugly. I dismounted and started pushing. I thought of all the riders in Race Across the Sky that did this. Here I was in my own Leadville doing the same. Well, that climb just kept going. There was a false summit where I remounted only to be kicked off again. I stopped about halfway up this second section to refill my water bottle when I was passed by three people RIDING up this beast. I was humbled and amazed. Cheers to you, brave souls. I stopped to take advantage of the generous food drops by the folks from Cayuga Ski and Cycle - a gu shot never tasted so good. It is amazing, however, how quickly you descend the 700' of climbing you hoofed up.

The ride continued to undulate, climbing back up through Hammond Hill. I hear this is a place to ride but the trails we were on were a muddy mess. Some had no clear passage around so through it was. It was at this point that my feet got soaked. By now, my quads were spent from the climbing - I was using my granny gear on just about every uphill and I am typically a middle ring rider so I knew I was beginning to fade. I also was finding my nutrition - dark chocolate Snickers, Gatorade and Pepsi - to be insufficient for keeping me powered up. After descending out of Hammond Hill - a bit squirrelly on gravel and leaf covered roads with mtb tires at 40psi - I took a hard look at the situation. Still 35 miles of riding to go, at least the same amount, if not more, of climbing, and a cut off 5 for decent light. Time to pull the plug on this adventure. I rode along 79 back to the car. I counted a dozen cars still in the parking lot so I think I was one of the first to do just half of the course. I am saving the route and cue sheet - I will revisit this course, more prepared and with the intention of completing the whole deal.

It was fun, tiring and worth every moment.