Ride from Nachshon junction, meeting Zvika and starting around 6:00. We headed out the 44 toward the 38, and I did okay on the two little climbs. Then we turned onto the 3855 to get over to the 3866 and the climb up to Nes Harim. It was brutal, just so steep that I couldn't keep up a steady cadence and just plugged along. I knew it would be tough, I haven't been riding hills or long distances to build up my endurance and muscle strength. From there we rode down the Tsur Hadassah grade, a long downhill with some really fast sections, to the 375, where we turned and kept the downhill going, although at just a slight gradient. Then it was a short climb up to Aderet, which looks over the Ela Valley, before we turned around the headed back to the 375. From there to the 38, and I've ridden this road a number of times. The gradual climb was bad at the start but I finished better than I thought I would. The sharper, short climb was one I was able to punch through, not so bad but it probably did a number on my leg muscles, so there wasn't a lot left. A short stop in Bet Shemesh for a candy bar and a little rest before finishing up. I was slow, plodding, up the climb on the 44, then I just rode without a lot of push in my legs to finish up the ride. Only a brief moment or two on that last climb where I felt a twinge in my right hamstring, but it didn't turn into anything. In any case, I was glad I didn't have much more distance to cover by the end.
Avg speed = 14.5 mph. Total mileage = 46.2 mi
Avg heartrate = 151 bpm
Total elevation gain = 4780'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3774889120
