2015-05-10 - Ride IX - Ride to Bear Mountain and Cold Spring - Part III

Within the light but persistent state of agony, my mind retreated a bit into itself. That was short lived however, when I saw the steep hill leading up to Perkins. On the easiest gear and a low cadence like the other steep climbs, I pushed up the hill to the start of Perkins Memorial Drive. This would be a 3 mile continuous climb to the top.

I had a real wrestle with this bear of a mountain but it became clear that I could make it the whole way without stopping. About half a mile from the top, however, I just had to stop and take some photos.

The climb felt a lot easier after the rest. It was a good lesson to take with me on the ride across the country. Short rest breaks are OK if you are struggling especially while climbing. They do not slow you down much and can greatly boost your strength and willpower.

It was not too long before I crested the top of the mountain. I had never been here before and the view was amazing.

I walked a bit back down to grab something to drink from the vending machine to reward myself. I saw Sam and Jen reaching the top to complete our group.

We did it!

From the top it was a long but fast 15 mile ride into Cold Spring. We had beer and ice cream and half of us took the food to go to catch the 4:18 train. We had been there for over an hour and did not want to wait another hour for the next one.

The $14 Metro-North ride back was beautiful. While snapping a picture of the Tappan Zee Bridge under construction, by coincidence I happened to capture two birds gliding across the water. I see it as a wonderful sign of good fortune and the hard but liberating future ahead, one that I would need years to build towards but would allow me to soar.