Solo ride from the house we were staying in up at Lake Arrowhead. I heade.d north, with an uphill section then a thrilling downhill on North Bay Rd. The weather had moderated from the previous day, so I rode with a single long-sleeved jersey and shorts. I headed around the north side of the lake and into Lake Arrowhead Village, where I switched out my gloves before the 2-mile climb on the 173 up to the 18 Hwy. While this was a long climb, it was fairly gradual. Even still, it took a lot out of me. Got onto the 18 and headed toward Running Springs. There was a moderate 3-mile climb that I had remembered from last year, and it really worked my lower back out. I slowed down on the latter parts, not so much due to my legs or cardio but more from my back stiffening up. This was the general tenor of the ride. The portion from Running Springs to Arrowbear was comparatively easy, then the unexpected challenge started. I rode a long, 4-mile climb, followed closely by steeper, 2-mile section up to 7100'. I was hurting at this point, with no drive left in my legs, even on the relatively flat portions. Luckily, it was a net downhill to Big Bear Lake, but I was getting worried that I wouldn't make it there before Ann and Laura showed up. On one of the downhill sections, I got a little too close to the guardrail and rode through the slush on the side of the road, almost losing it. That got my adrenaline flowing, and I made it to the western edge of Big Bear Lake riding mostly downhill. There was one final climb up toward the village, then mercifully a basically downhill final section to Cienega Rd, where Ann and Laura were waiting for me. I was about 5 minutes late. This ride definitely goes down as the hardest 30-mile ride I can remember ever having done. Lots of climbing and all of it above 5000' elevation.
Avg speed = 12.7 mph. Total mileage = 29.2 mi
Avg heartrate = 150 bpm
Total elevation gain = 2980'
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/59181360
