36.1%

That's the maximum grade I hit on Lolo Pass according to the garmin. That's where I was defeated (username == so apt). I made it another mile or so past that part, but that's when I knew, deep down, that I wasn't making it to the top. I hit that 36.1% section and I couldn't keep my front wheel on the ground. Sam was forced to climb out of the saddle but I made the mistake of trying to stay seated and had to stop. Try starting on a hill with a 36.1% grade some time. It's not fun.

I don't feel good about wussing out on the climb up Lolo Pass, but I no longer feel that bad about it. Especially after hearing tales of the steep descent with patches of gravel. Definitely glad I missed out on that.

In any event, the heat just kicked my ass on this ride. I was feeling really good all the way up to the base of Lolo (seriously, it was a gradual 5-10% grade and I was cruising along at 10-12 mph without *too* much effort), but 3 miles up into the actual climb I knew I wasn't going to make it to the top. I looked down and say my 3-4mph speed and realized I had 5 miles to go and I knew and I was just completely defeated mentally. I sat on the side of the road for a good 15-20 minutes after I gave up disgusted with myself, then finally cruised back down to the rest stop to wait for Sam and Kam. Spent some more sullen time at the rest stop until they got back from the top, at which point I should've been well rested to finish the rest of the ride, but alas it was not to be the case.

The next 13 miles or so were basically all downhill, but even so I could start to feel it deep inside that I wasn't going to finish. As soon as we hit the first slight uphill and my heart rate jumped from 125 to 185 I knew I was in trouble. When we hit the base of the 3 mile sustained climb I just gave up. Bested mostly by the heat, but I also think it was partially a mental defeat at not being able to summit Lolo Pass. Sagged it at the 65 mile point, even walking up that hill my heart rate was spiking, I was just popped, no energy left at all.

Added to my list of things that suck: 98 degrees + 7000 feet of climbing + 100 miles.

Things that suck only slightly less: 98 degrees + 5000 feet of climbing + 65 miles.

Elevation profile + grade: http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/chart/get.mb...