U2– Elevation

I just recently got my bike fixed and as a result, have been feeling the itch to get out and ride. So roughly two weeks ago, I did an easy 3 mile route, a few days later a 5 mile route, and earlier this week, a quick 10. All three routes were pretty easy as Los Angeles is pretty much flat. In addition to this, I’ve discovered the website MapMyRide, which literally lets you track (or create) all sorts of routes, whether they be running routes, or biking routes.

Yesterday, however, using MapMyRide as a guidebook, I relearned the meaning of pain as a colleague and I thought we’d try a scenic 24 mile riding route, down in beautiful Rancho Palos Verdes.

The route started off pretty easy, and the existence of a bike lane made it all the more ride-able. The smell of the sea air and the freshly manicured lawns that lined the edges of these million-dollar homes created an amazing atmosphere for what would have been perhaps a slightly more than strenuous bike ride. As I looked down at my bike computer about an hour into the ride, I saw that we’d gone a little over ten miles thus far; nearly halfway there.

Unfortunately, I had forgotten what meandering squiggly lines (particularly ones that head inland from the coast) mean. As we started an inland uphill climb, I thought it would be over soon. As we rounded the next bend, I thought it would be over soon. As we entered the marine layer fog hovering at marine layer altitude, I thought it would be over soon. Three miles, and 900 kCal later, it was over, at least momentarily and the thrill of hitting 30 mph on a bike almost made the uphill climb worth it.

Next time, I’ll be sure to look at an elevation map beforehand. Now, who’s down to do to this route with me again?