Thursday Epic Climbing Ride

[Josh.E]

Went out this morning with Dylan, Bruce and Shawn. Suspiciously absent was Sylvan, who has apparently become afraid of the cold.
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Jo ... Apr-7-2011

We headed out to metchosin first and did kangaroo Rd, etc. It was cold first thing this morning. Bruce and Shawn had to get back in for work after happy valley, so Dylan and I decided to go do humpback, then finlayson arm. We got to goldstream, and I had the idea of going up the malahat and doing goldstream heights, since the it was so nice and sunny, and the view would be good. Dylan had never been to Goldstream Heights, or over finlayson arm.

So, went up the Malahat, did goldstream heights to the top, then back down, left at goldstream park, over finlayson arm rd, and then a reverse Munn Rd for good measure.

1857m of ascent, 121.8km door to door. Downtown Disco Coffee for espressos. Epic ride.

[sylvan]

You guys are awesome. I'm the opposite of awesome, whatever that is, so I tried to compensate by mimicking part of your awesome ride before doing the IRC ride, which Ryan completely crushed with massive power. I finally got detached at the little lump on West Saanich past the Red Barn after lamely hanging on from Sidney. Settled for two Coors Lights in the garage instead of Discovery Coffee.

Stats: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/77854715

I think that's the first time I've been up Goldstream Heights since the Tripleshot ride about this time last year. It's pretty epic up there. I bet Dylan liked it. I didn't really, but probably rode it faster than last time.

[RyanC]

You guys are crazy.... but then that's kinda why I am with this club.

For those who have not tackled Goldstream Heights (Finlayson Arm Road), here is a nice video of the climb to give you an idea of what this single lane road looks like from a rider perspective.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIIE2ZcAOdQ

The fun begins in earnest at the 4' 10" mark where the grade pitches up to a ridonculous 22%. Fun in dry weather but I can't imagine how you guys made it up in the frosty early hours of Thurs morning.

I am in awe.

BTW, Sylvan, what time did you start riding before the IRC ride?

Ryan

[sylvan]

For those who have not tackled Goldstream Heights (Finlayson Arm Road)...

Goldstream Heights/Ridge is different - it's way up the malahat, across the train tracks on the way to Shawnigan Lake. Turn left onto Stebbings just past the tracks - http://www.goldstreamheights.com/ - it gets up to 500 metres elevation and finishes with a 700 metre stretch at about 15%, a very steady ramp, very horrendous. We did Finny Arm a couple of months ago on a Saturday morning epic. A buddy of mine has done Finny Arm with power cranks!!!

BTW, Sylvan, what time did you start riding before the IRC ride?

Just before 2:30. Wasn't sure I'd make it in time but hammered pretty hard all the way and it worked out...

[Josh.E]

You did it later on by yourself?

That IS awesome.

[AlW]

it gets up to 500 metres elevation and finishes with a 700 metre stretch at about 15%, a very steady ramp, very horrendous.

+1. That last climb is nasty.

http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&source=s ... ,,0,-11.81