112 miles completed
7 hours and 20 minutes, that’s how long it took me to ride the 56 miles loop of the Ironman Lake Placid bike course TWICE!
It’s not super fast, but given the fact that prior to this ride the longest that I have ridden is 80 miles. So I’m pretty happy with the result.
Since I rode the loop once last month, I know the best way for me to attack this beast is to break them up into sections.
After spending 7 plus hours riding the course, I must say I got to know them a lot better in details now.
Part 1
Lake Placid > Cascade Lake
First 4 miles were pretty flat, but before my legs even get a chance to warm up, I had to get ready for a mile climb follow by a few rollers.
Part 2
Cascade Lake > Keene > Upper Jay > Jay
I flew down hill for about 4-5 miles to Keene, it was the fastest part of the course (39 mph), but it was also the most danger part of the course. Speed = Potential of Crashing.
From Keene to Jay was the flattest part of the entire loop, approx 10 miles, I stayed in my aero bar for the entire time to save as much time and energy as I could.
Part 3
Rounders divx
From Jay to Wilmington (Haselton Rd)
Approx 20 miles, there were some good climbs but overall it wasn’t too bad.
Part 4
Wilmington to Lake Placid (Final 11 mile of the loop)
Don’t get too excited, because all the pain is about to begin
Mile 45 - 50, I encountered a combination of 3%, 5%, and 7% grade climb, nothing too big or too long, but the fact that I was climbing for 5 miles straight, it was kind of tiring both mentally and physically.
By mile 50 my legs were obviously not as fresh as they were 50 miles ago. But I still had to do a series of 5 rollers; each of them has its own name spray painted on the road. (Little Cherry, Big Cherry, Mama Bear, Baby Bear and Papa Bear) At the top of Papa bear I had to take a right turn and rode through 2 short rollers before I’m back into Lake Placid.
Second Loop
The pain and suffering from the first loop X2 or X3.
X3 in my case, because it rained for most of the second loop. I was completely drench, the rain washed off the sweat along with the sun screen lotion on my forehead, and it all got into my eyes. My eyes started to tears from the burning, my nose was running because I was cold. It was not a pleasant experience. But at least now I have a higher standard when comes to physical limits.