Above are the heart rate and elevation profiles recorded by my Garmin bicycle computer during the Rambler bike race last Sunday. The race featured climbs up grades of up to 14%. I sustained heart rates of 178 bpm for up to 4 minutes periods. This is the third year I have done this 30 mile, two and a half hour race on dirt roads and single track. This year was a real slog as we raced in 30 mph gusts. Sometimes on the flats it felt as if I was pedaling to no avail and the bike was at a standstill. I think a couple expletives were yelled at the wind. I apologize to the wind for that.
