Avg speed = 13.2 mph. Total mileage = 36.2 mi
Avg heartrate = 151 bpm
Total elevation gain = 5210'
Friday, January 12, 2018
01-12-2018 Ride
Training ride with the GFNY Jerusalem training group, leaving from Bar Giyora up by Nes Harim (long drive to get to the start). I rode with Zvika and Nir, although they were generally far ahead of me. We started downhill toward Tsur Hadasa, a little sketchy going down this steep hill with a group of other riders. Headed generally west until turning north to connect to the 395 near Bet Shemesh. Then it was the very challenging climb, about 7 miles of real hell, with some terrible stretches thrown in. I could tell that my fitness was not up to this ride, so I suffered and watched others pass me. We had a break just past the top, but I missed the turn into a park and rode another half mile up. Not great. I was wiped out, so I couldn't push on the downhill section, content to keep coasting and pedaling just a little. On the last 3-mile gentler climb back to the starting point, I was slow. It tilts up near the end, and I struggled on this section, feeling that my legs were just about done. So I stopped here rather than continue on for the next 13 miles, which was the only choice on this day. Recovered fairly quickly, once I stopped putting so much pressure on my legs. I need to focus my training rides either on long distances at continued high pace or riding in the Judean hills. Will ride until near the end of January to see how my fitness improves before committing to ride in the GFNY Jerusalem race.
