Swim, Bike, and Buffalo

SWIM: 2300y in 1hr. 3x500 focus on steady
BIKE: a little over 2hrs, about 31 miles

I slept in until 7:15 and I had to be at the pool at 8. Luckily in my fuzz I was smart enough to pre-pack everything. Go me. Prepared, yet unprepared.

I picked a workout from a previous swim and switched it up. I made the 3x500's a steady 500 with a focus on a steady pace. No negative splits, no hurry. But I'd peak at the watch to catch my halfway times. Seeing this would either make me happy or make me upset. I was surprised how this number could affect me, and this isn't new. This recent focus on heart rate, position in a pack, race PR's, etc etc.

The swim was good. It was my only swim this week, and I'm glad I did it. I didn't realize I had 2300y until I added it up later.

The bike was great. But before the bike we got to see JM's little A practice for her 1st tri next weekend :) And I got a laugh when she kept asking her time. Guess the focus on numbers goes way beyond just me.

IT and I joined another member on a "guided" bike tour, KD lived in the area and new the good hills. Like a drug dealer.

We rode out of Babler onto roads I wasn't familiar with, and this was the best part--I didn't know what to expect, what kind of hill was coming up, or how much rest I'd get. But I followed KD's shifting carefully, he knew the roads and I figured he was preparing for any inclines. I started off slow, but knew I'd warm up soon enough.

Unlike yesterday today was cool. I hate to complain flip flop style, but it was almost too cool! This was good, it helped me recover from yesterday.

The first hill was Babler Forest, aka Chocolate Hill, described as : Babler Trails Road - (.25 mile, 190 feet of ascent, 14.39% average grade, 20.5% max grade)
- This is one climb you may have unknowingly passed countless times if you regularly ride
out Wildhorse Creek Road to Ossenfort. Just before you reach the Wildhorse-Ossenfort fork,
Babler Trails Road will appear on your right. The innocuous entrance to this quiet neighborhood offers no clue as to the major bump in the road that lies dead ahead. This climb is long, straight, and unforgiving. Cyclists heading out to St Albans who get their heart rate up in anticipation of Ossenfort hill should consider scaling this one. It will change their perspective of the minor climb known as Ossenfort Hill. Additional note: To throw in a little confusion, along the climb the road changes names to Babler Forest. -

Long good hill. No chocolate, just a turn-around and back down.

Next hill...some winding through new roads...passed some buffalo on Bassett road...and off to St Albans. It was 0.7miles long, and how do I know this? I checked my Garmin, which I found to my dismay has been OFF to this time. NUTS!!!

Next hill was Melrose. I've heard people talking about this hill, but I didn't know where it was. Turns out I do--I just didn't know the name of it. It's the hill just out of St Albans: Melrose Road - (First Climb- .33 mile, 156 feet of ascent, average grade 8.86 %, max grade 14.5%) - Second Climb- .34 mile, 136 feet of ascent, average grade 7.57%, max grade 15%) - The hills of Wildwood are man. An immensely popular one is Melrose Road starting just around
the corner from the entrance to Rockwood Reservations near Hwy 109. While not the steepest
nor the longest hill in west county, this is actually a double-tiered ascent which will still put a
distinct burn in the legs. Once crested, the first plateau is but a two-thousand yard respite before the road points back up again. If the first climb didn't reduce you to spinning your small chain ring, the second one probably will. When ridden from the opposite direction (i.e. from Six Flags) the combination of hills offers two blazing descents that can be taken full out. - Melrose Road & Glencoe Road, Wildwood, Mo

That wasn't so bad, actually kinda enjoyed it.

Next hill wasn't on the maps. At least I havent found it yet. What a GEM. Oh, a JEWEL of a hill. We were almost at a complete stop at the bottom, then this WALL of a hill. Oh sweet d-lish. This one was tough. I ended up standing. I also tried weaving a bit. IT was seated the whole way up, wow.

There were other hills in between, but those were the biggies. Lots of little climbers that needed a granny gear, but since they weren't named so I can't comment on them.

What a great ride! I know some of these roads, but for the most part this was on unfamiliar roads. When we got back to the parking lot, IT and I took a look at the Bird. I was worried that I had to stand on some of today's hills, and these hills were Savage. Turns out the Bird only as a 12-23!!! Off to BShark, hoping to find KJ. What luck, I did! He's going to get a 12-27 for the Bird sometime this week.