There’s nothing like a long solo climb to clear the head after a busy week. I skipped out on the Spectrum Group Ride yesterday morning to spend some time with my family. I thought I might not get a ride in but my wife and son headed down for a nap in the afternoon. What to do? I could grab a few hours of down time, even nap, or head out for a solo spin. I chose spin.
It’s been a busy week at work and all my riding has been flat and fast with the local Group Rides so for yesterday I decided to head out to one of my favorite local climbs – Kings Mountain Road (map HERE). Spinning in an easy gear, it takes me a little under 30 minutes to cover just over 4 miles to the top.
I love riding this climb alone. It switchbacks through an old-growth Redwood forest with views of the San Francisco Bay and across to the East Bay. Sometimes when I ride solo on back country roads I’ll listen to music in one ear, but not today. I wanted to be alone with my thoughts and the steady cadence of pedaling and breathing, pedaling and breathing.
And, the trees! Before moving to NorCal, I had never spent any time among the Redwoods. They’re gigantic and breathtaking. As I pedaled around switchbacks, I found myself staring back down the road into the forest searching for the biggest trees. Mammoth and imposing, silent and stoic, possessing hundreds (maybe thousands) of years of history. I worked through my thoughts and got clarity on some issues that bad been eating at me during the week. It was therapy. Emotional, physical, even spiritual therapy.
I got to the summit and looked out over the Pacific some 10 miles below. I collected my thoughts and made a promise to myself to remember the clarity of mind I experienced while climbing when I got back down into the city.
The descent down Rt 84 is rip-roaring. I have to remind myself not to chase cars. I smiled a bit when a car at the top honked behind me before the first corner. Two turns later it was gone. It’s one of those descents where it’s much faster on 2 wheels than behind a wheel. While there’s time to think on a climb and the mind is free to wander, on a descent like this there’s nothing but the moment. All that matters is the moment. Head down, eyes up, corner ahead, scrub some speed, accelerate out…it takes all of 7 minutes to descend a 30 minute climb. And back to reality.
How about you? Is there a climb or road that you love to ride solo and just have time to think? I love Group Rides for reasons listed HERE but sometimes a solo climb is just what I need.
Ride on…
Related posts:
Wow, what a great ride option for you! I really relate to this as the majority of rides I do are solo and along the beach/a1a and some sections are so beautiful or the sun is rising or setting in a spectacular way, or at times when I’m spinning I imagine that my every pedal stroke is designed to exude good energy into the ground, or I am working on some other issues/stresses, or simply connecting to my breath… All of which remind me of my connection to the world around me and the higher power… Also reminds me of Adam’s Easter post on fb, a lot happens on the bike and when solo you really have more opportunity to indulge in all the nuances… We empty our cup, so it can be refilled…
Dude, awesome thoughts! Great thing about riding a bike, options. I sure miss riding up A1A in the mornings. You should try to get out there with Adam. He’s getting some morning rides in. B/t/w, would love to hear what you think about the new layout. Did you find it ok? Easy to navigate? Thanks bro
I did the exact same thing. Blew off the saturday club ride and got out extra early for a solo 45 with 3 stella climbs. 2:20:00 minutes later I was home clear headed and ready for the rest of the day.
http://tri714-letsdothisagain.blogspot.com/ or http://cyclingbehindtheorangecurtain.blogspot.com/
Great stuff Craig! Solo early ride is good therapy, home and ready to face the day.