The Double-E half-hour of Pain (You do Zoo, We do Too)

One of my readers suggested a group ride of the Zoo, so I'm teaming up with the Phat Psyklist to put on the:

The Double-E half-hour of Pain (You do Zoo, We do Too)

September 24th, 2:30 PM at the base of the hill. Eldon said something about cake at the summit. If you want to participate, please send email or leave a comment so we have some idea how many people are showing up.

This is not a climb to be approached lightly. Proper preparation includes a well-maintained bike, good legs, a sufficient arsenal of excuses, and willingness to explore the outer limits of performance and whining.

Notes for first time zoo climbers:

1. Start slow. Really slow. Lowest gear slow. Almost falling down slow.
2. You'll need to maintain your pace for somewhere in the neighborhood of half an hour.
3. After about 0.8 miles, there is a hairpin turn to the right. Do not ride on the inside of the corner. The easiest way up is the outside of the turn, if traffic conditions permit (there is usually little traffic on the zoo)
4. The first mile or so to the straight section is the worst. The straight section to the stop sign is harder. And the section after you turn left is harder still.
5. The top is at the gate, and the road turns to gravel soon after that.
6. Don't descend the same direction - head west on 60th (ie left at the stop sign coming down from the summit)
7. Ever climb Inglewood? The zoo is like riding Inglewood. In a higher gear. Four times in a row.

Comments

• Anonymous
  September 20, 2005
  If I recover from the cold that's making me miserable right now, I'll be there on Saturday.

• Anonymous
  September 20, 2005
  The comment has been removed

• Anonymous
  September 20, 2005
  Aw man... I was putting together a group of folks to go that same day at ~9:30. Perhaps I'll see if we can reschedule and go with you folks because I don't fancy doing it twice in one day. I did it last week for the first time thanks to your implied challenge a few weeks back. 19 minutes to the stop sign, didn't go all the way to the very top.
  Chris

• Anonymous
  September 20, 2005
  I'm game to give it a shot depending on how my 8-9mi run goes that morning.

• Anonymous
  September 20, 2005
  So I guess I now know what is happening on Saturday...

• Anonymous
  September 21, 2005
  I can't do it that day out of town. But would love to join you guys next time.

• Anonymous
  September 21, 2005
  BTW, Seattle Randonneurs has the <a href="http://www.seattlerandonneur.org/rides/ride_archive/100km/100km_3_2005Desc.html">Unpopulaire</a>, 65 miles and 5,400' of elevation gain, scheduled for October 8th (free). It goes up zoo hill (sans the segment to the gate), down Lakemont, back up 164th.

• Anonymous
  September 21, 2005
  Darn, I'd love to come, but the one and only requirement I fulfill is this hopefully sufficient excuse:
  
  54°47'14.49" N 9°26'00.19" E
  
  (or does this count as whining?)

• Anonymous
  September 22, 2005
  The reader who suggested the ride will be there!

• Anonymous
  September 23, 2005
  one more for Saturday

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