When Icarus flew too close to the sun, it was more than just the heat from the sun that caused his mighty fall; it was also the brilliance of his pride. As I contemplate my next ride up the Haleakala Highway and Crater Road which leads to the summit of Haleakala, I can’t help but wonder if the Road to the Sun together with my own pride won’t carry me too close to the sun as well.
It’s amazing how much of a climb is forgotten despite the fact that every meter is intimately experienced as we turn our pedals slowly up a grade; one gets the impression that each detail is forever burned into our memory. Riding parts of Haleakala in training, I am amazed at how inaccurate my memory of the climb is; sections I thought were short are many kilometers long; sections I thought were easy were in fact steep. Our memories are deeply distorted by our efforts and as such are not to be trusted.
This past Sunday, I did a reconnaissance ride from somewhere around 1,000′ to somewhere around 7,000′. As I rolled onto Crater Road to start the ascent along the shoulder to the crater itself, I was horrified to recognize how low the first switchback was where my body sent a palpable message to my brain to stop moving my legs during my January assault. It was at barely 3,700 feet – about a third of the way up the mountain. By 5,000 feet, I had completed the transition from suffering to death march. At 7,000 feet, with Gianni and my VMH becoming increasingly concerned I would climb in the car at any moment, the only thing keeping the pedals turning (albeit in squares) was the weight of my stubbornness.
The Trade Winds blow strongly on Maui in the summer, and the last thing I find myself craving is a headwind on the lower slopes, where the easier gradient is supposed to allow me to settle into a rhythm and ride into some sort of form. Based on weather reports, we have selected this Thursday, August 11 as the date for Frank vs. The Volcano, Part Deux. I have learned many lessons from both my previous effort and my reconnaissance. The only thing that remains to be done is to apply them, follow the plan, and pray to Merckx that I find good legs.
Last January, I rode the climb in four and a half hours. I hope to accomplish two things this time round: first, enjoy the climb a bit more (or at all) and second, improve on my time.
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@Ron
I've had a bit of trouble getting my 6.6s dialed. They felt like slippers when I tried them on in the store, but once the cleats went on and I started riding the feel of the insole and the cleat placement gave me fits. I put in Superfeet yellow insoles (the original insoles were crap) and went back to the shop to get the cleat placement and varus angle dialed and now they are much better.
@whatheadwind, @fasthair, @Tom Sundsboe
Thanks for your kind wishes, and welcome! Always great to see a new face around here.
@zalamanda
Did you change your email address? Your level is tied to your email...
@Marcus
More to come on the follow-up post, but in a word, not riding the bottom like the climb was my local 2k hill and thus not having completely fired off the guns with 6,000/40km of climbing to go was instrumental in improving my time.
So, (ii), in other words.
Dr. C - I've considered just selling them off & trying a different shoe. They're in great shape. Just kind of sucks because I like other Sidis.
Nate - My 6.6s took some time to get used to as well. I have some Super Feet yellow insoles in mine as well. Love the feel with them. Tried the insoles in the Ergo's but no luck. I suppose I could try another insole. I typically like thick-ish socks, as I have very narrow feet, but I might need to try some ultra thin socks. Oh well, I'll keep on trying.
Yay! Bravo Frank!
Frank - yeah, it could have been the (ii), but maybe just a year older, a year wiser. Plus, it's the sign of a true sportsman to get better the second time 'round (or up!).
Nice work. I hope they fill your local square in Seattle to welcome you back, like they did in Melbourne for Cuddles.
Awesome job smashing your PR like that! I see that you're 'shortness challenged' like I am, maybe more so. Is the route up on any of the tracking sites? (MMR or my preference, Strava).
Amazing performance, Frank! (I would really like to put my climbing skills to a test at the Haleakala. Never have been above 2800 m before.)
@G'phant
Bravo on your PR.
Yes, I drove up Crater Road and originally stenciled the altitudes (based on USGS). I repaint them and add a little every year before "Cyle to the Sun". Thanks for the subtle spell check. I added the "E" yesterday afternoon. Send me a "V" stencil and I'll strategically paint them on the route.
I live on Crater Road, so this is my backyard. It is nice to be able to make a right turn out of my driveway and climb 6,000' nonstop year round.
Sunday 6am some "V" imposters will be leaving Twin Falls to Hana and back. I'll be in Hana heading towards the group at about the same time rain, shine, tsunami, or earthquake. Oh, wake up that Gianni guy and bring him with you.
@mauibike
I cannot find the velomoskrit to express how jealous I am of this.