![\"High](\"https:\/\/pganderson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/HighGrade.JPG\")
Another week and another ride I was dreading. My wife and friends had told me how difficult the long climb up High Grade feels. Climbing is always tough and this ride included a long 11.5 mile climb.<\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Another week and another ride I was dreading. My wife and friends had told me how difficult the long climb up High Grade feels. Climbing is always tough and this ride included a long 11.5 mile climb.<\/p>\n
This week, we were also in a time crunch. We were volunteering at a fundraiser in the afternoon and needed to be done quickly. We got to our team meeting point and did our best to get ready quickly. Jennifer and I headed out a few minutes before the rest of the team to try and ensure we could finish in time for the fundraiser.<\/p>\n
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The first part of the route was familiar. We went from the Park-N-Ride near C470 and Santa Fe over to Chatfield and the Deer Creek Canyon Road. The climb starts off pretty shallow and gradually increases. We had our first SAG stop at the intersection of West Deer Creek Canyon Road and South Deer Creek Road (the road leading to High Grade). Jennifer and I actually beat the SAG car. We thought about proceeding but we needed to refill our water bottles before attempting the next section. As soon as the SAG car arrived, we refilled and then set out on our way just as the team was coming in for their stop.<\/p>\n
As we started up the High Grade portion of our route, I was thinking, \u201cThis climbing isn\u2019t so bad. Maybe it is getting easier for me.\u201d We were climbing, but we had a bit of shade and a slight breeze. And then the climb got steeper, the terrain was rockier, the shade trees were gone, and the breeze disappeared. Quickly my energy was being drained. I was doing my best to not fall too far behind Jennifer. She broke the stress of climbing by singing during the toughest parts. Yep, she was actually singing. I thought it was from becoming delirious, but she says it helps control her breathing.<\/p>\n
In any case, the distraction worked because before long we had completed that tough section. The climb still wasn\u2019t over and we could sense we were getting close. There are a couple of times when you think you are done only to round the corner to see more climbing. It was definitely a welcome site to see our second SAG point at Pleasant Park Grange Hall.<\/p>\n
After another short rest, next up was a very fun ride through Oehlmann Park. This is sort of a mountain neighborhood with huge lots. It features quiet roads with long curvy downhills interrupted by some short, but steep climbs. \u00a0It was like being on a roller coaster with some magnificent views of Denver.<\/p>\n