November 2nd (Afternoon)

As I left today I felt pretty good for energy and strength. As such, I decided it was time for another showdown between me and my old nemesis, the Peterson’s Creek Billy Minor trail NORTH. At the beginning of the year, I had set a few goals. One was to get down to 220lbs (done and now surpassed). A second goal was to ride the entire way both ways (also done and not a problem any more). Finally, a third goal I had set, even if it seemed unattainable, was to make the entire way up the Billy Minor North climb without stopping.

However, once I found the trails crossing the creek further south down the valley, I stopped riding this monstrous climb! So, I have been thinking about it lately and wondering how far I could make it now. I decided to try it today.

I still rode across the top of Summit and entered into the Peterson Creek trails up at Castle Towers, rather than my old route of going down Hugh Allan, Rogers Way, etc. I still wanted to be on trails as much as I could. I knew this would add probably at least 5 minutes to my ride, but whatever. The trails coming down from the Castle Towers entrance all the way to the Billy Minor North trail are a blast, and pretty much entirely downhill! The ride down to the bottom of the valley was really good. I still struggle with the tight switchbacks, but the rest that I used to take pretty slow with a foot out I was able to get around faster with no problems whatsoever. That was cool!

Then the death climb began…

Now, just to remind everyone, this is about a 7-10 minute climb depending on how long I stop to catch my breath and how many stops I need to do. My record up is 2 stops, one about 1/3 of the way up at a very deep and sandy corner, and the 2nd at the 3/4 mark where a sudden, steep climb causes me to bail before I hardly get 5 feet up it. Generally, however, I would take 3 stops on average. The third stop was about 1/2 between the sandy corner and the steep climb, where the trail gets pretty steep, narrow and rocky. I can make this section, but it’s tough to say the least.

Well, at first I felt faster than I remembered feeling. However, as I started the straight stretch just before the sandy corner, I started to remember the pain that this hill can dish out! Still, I made it up to the corner with still energy left (usually I was barely moving at this point). I managed to cut the corner wide, found a line with the least amount of sand, and lo and behold I made it through! SWEET!!! As I continued on, the first issue became quickly apparent. Because I had made this corner and continued on, I didn’t get my usual break to catch my breath. Instead, the trail kept on going up, up and up! My legs were burning pretty good now, and it was hard to get a breath. I started up the portion of the hill that I have made it in the past on my good days, but today it was a no go. I got about half way up and couldn’t keep the front wheel straight and had to stop. Wow! A record distance by a mile!!! Well, not a literal mile, but you know…

After I caught my breath, I continued on. I got to the bottom of the steep portion (the second part of this trail I’ve been unable to conquer) and I started the climb, leaning as far forward as I could to keep the front wheel down. Unfortunately, again I couldn’t keep the front wheel straight and instead started heading right off of the edge… Oops! However, I had made it about 1/2 way, probably a good 10 feet further than I ever had before, so that was pretty sweet!

The rest of the climb was as I remembered it. Tough, painful, but a very doable climb. In all, I would guess it was about 7 minutes of pain overall. Wow, this hill has NOT gotten any easier!!! I’m pretty sure I could make it with 1 stop for sure, possibly even no stops if I was able to manage the final climb! Still, a tall order to be sure. I would like to try this again probably once a week if I’m up for it.

The rest of the ride was pretty good, but with the extra energy I spent tackling the old nasty climb, I didn’t make it very far up the final hill at Rose Hill. Partly because of energy, but mainly because I decided to attempt the right side of the trail which was NOT a good idea (rocks, gulleys).