Winter road miles spiced up with some climbing

Lately I trying to spend more time on the road bike and get some valuable winter miles into the legs. Of course I still ride the XC bike as well but the majority of the training will be on the road bike for the next couple of months. Because of this plan I started to get used to the road bike and have fun on the road more and more every time I am out on the bike. :)

On the top of the Kippure

So, yesterday I wanted to sweeten up the usual routine a bit and decided to get some climbing done. I turned towards the Wicklow mountains and to be exact I targeted a nice and high point: the Kippure. At 757 metres (2,484 feet), it is the highest mountain in South Dublin so to get there through the hills and to climb up to the top I had to do good bit of work. Was absolutely great! :)

The map (out and back on the same route)

On Thursday I was working so I wanted to take the simple, straight forward route and the same to get back home to be sure I wont be late from work. I left at 8 am in the morning and started to head out towards Stepaside and Enniskerry. After the village I got to the Powerscourt Waterfall and kept going up towards the Military Road. After I hit the climb towards the Sally Gap I was at the bottom of the Kippure in no time.

Now, up to this point the weather was pretty all right with very wet road surface but mostly sunny sky and luckily no wind. But shortly after I started to settle into the climb on the bold side of the Kippure the mountain has changed his face. I entered the thick cloud that was just sitting on the top like some sort of higher power and started to feel the rapid drop of the temperature too. The whole place was amazing: very limited view caused by the heavy fog/cloud, cold and wet road and steep gradient. The only thing that I had in my head was the rythm of the music from the earphones and the fact I love what I am doing. Then and there the whole thing felt little bit more special. I loved it!  :)

After the long climb I got up to the peak but since the weather was pretty savage up there and I did not see much either I turned back and started the fast downhill. Lucky enought but when I got back to slightly lower altitude the weather got back to normal and the way home was lovely. 

The elevation graph of the spin

I did ride 71 km under 3 hours and ended up with 1235 m of total climbing. 

The pace was nice and calm, did not do any jumpy stuff at all. When I got back home I felt good and I think all these road spins will help me to get more fit for the next season.

Got home, quick shower, 2nd breakfast and off I went to work, what a way to start the day, hah?!  Can't wait for the next time! :)