Cardiac Hill!!!
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Top of Cardiac Hill, March 11, 2012
This is the first time I have ever made it all the way to the top of this hill. A few years ago, when I was in much better cycling shape, I got very close, but never quite made it for one reason or another.
Today I rode with a friend from DBC. We started out near Lake Solano and rode together up to the dam. Then we split so we could each ride at our respective paces, mine being quite a bit slower, especially up the hill. This was perfect for me because I could ride at a pace that was comfortable for me, without embarrassing myself and not feel like I was ruining anyone else’s ride by not keeping up. We timed the ride so that I had one hour to get to the top from the dam. I plodded along steadily up from the dam, and enjoyed a few brief downhills, then “Cardiac Hill” starts a steady climb that’s about 2 miles long. It’s just past Markley Cove. I made it from the dam to the top of Cardiac Hill in about 40-45 minutes. I stopped briefly, snapped a few photos, then headed back down towards Markley Cove. I spun around for a few moments, then headed back up the hill. Maybe 1/4 of the way back up, we passed and I rode up a little more, then turned around and we rode back down together. I am looking forward to getting a lot stronger again this summer, learning some better cycling technique, and perhaps even getting some new equipment.
For more advanced cyclists, Cardiac Hill isn’t that big of a deal, but for me … this was quite an accomplishment.
Then we stopped for coffee and a quick bite at Steady Eddie’s in Winters.
OK, I guess it’s time to go start doing some chores and getting ready for the work week.