Nocturne or repeating uphill sprints
A short note before going to bed. Just because I am still too full of adrenalin.
Today at Girona Gran Fondo we had the Nocturne ride. The concept is both simple and evil. 10 laps of 2.5 km, with a timed section of some 200 meters with 45 meters of climbing. On pave, or cobblestones.
And as they say, that is not all. The time section begins at the Place de Catedhral, which means that one has to climb up a 14% uphill before the timed section. Easy does it, but then one has to speed up very fast, in 3 meters, before the timed section begins with a grade of 8.5%. It continues, turns left 90 degrees, then 20 to 30 meters 8-9%, then another 90 degree turn and the 20 meters 17% wall. With many people cheering, shouting, music blasting. Only way is to pedal full gas. Then, a a flattish section of some 100 meters. And then its over, only to begin again after some 2 kilometers.
Ok, that is the route. What does it feel? Fun, terrible, terrifying. First few laps are easy, one tries to find the right gears, the right lines. Then, laps 3-8 are pure fun. One knows what to do, how to ride. Of course, the 17% section is terrifying, with all those people watching. Lap 9 was hard, I began to slow down. The pain in my legs was intense, I had to let out a primal Viking scream! Spectators laughed at me!
I did my best. I was able to pass many riders in the steep section, but I think I did not ride the flattish one fast enough. Nobody was able to pass me in the steep section, or ride away from me.
Next year, with 15 kg less of me, I will do better.
Today at Girona Gran Fondo we had the Nocturne ride. The concept is both simple and evil. 10 laps of 2.5 km, with a timed section of some 200 meters with 45 meters of climbing. On pave, or cobblestones.
And as they say, that is not all. The time section begins at the Place de Catedhral, which means that one has to climb up a 14% uphill before the timed section. Easy does it, but then one has to speed up very fast, in 3 meters, before the timed section begins with a grade of 8.5%. It continues, turns left 90 degrees, then 20 to 30 meters 8-9%, then another 90 degree turn and the 20 meters 17% wall. With many people cheering, shouting, music blasting. Only way is to pedal full gas. Then, a a flattish section of some 100 meters. And then its over, only to begin again after some 2 kilometers.
Ok, that is the route. What does it feel? Fun, terrible, terrifying. First few laps are easy, one tries to find the right gears, the right lines. Then, laps 3-8 are pure fun. One knows what to do, how to ride. Of course, the 17% section is terrifying, with all those people watching. Lap 9 was hard, I began to slow down. The pain in my legs was intense, I had to let out a primal Viking scream! Spectators laughed at me!
I did my best. I was able to pass many riders in the steep section, but I think I did not ride the flattish one fast enough. Nobody was able to pass me in the steep section, or ride away from me.
Next year, with 15 kg less of me, I will do better.
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| 17% pave |
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