I also tell the stronger riders to go longer than I do on the canal path. That's because when I ride with stronger riders, which I almost always do, I either draft behind them and/or tell them to go ahead of me on the hills. So, if you're a Cat 3 or lower you can still join me and get a great workout in. If you're interested in joining me.email me: Most of you that know me know that I only have Cat 4 power- if that right now. Depending upon how I feel determines how much longer I go, but I normally try to ride for at least 2-3 hours total. I head back to the canal for some more intervals.
Although, after doing the other two climbs, it feels like it's an 8-10% grade hill. The last climb is Quarry Rd Hill, at Bulls Island, which is only about an 6% grade hill. Once at the top, I turn around and head back to the canal. Stumpf Tavern Rd is not as steep as Tumble Idell but averages about an 8% grade hill for about a mile. Once back on the canal, I head back towards Bulls Island for my 2nd climb- Stumpf Tavern Rd. From there, I turn around and head back down to the canal. I ride that to the intersection of Hill Rd, which is about a mile long climb. For those of you that never climbed Tumble Idell Rd, it's a dirt/gravel road that has about a 10% average grade hill, with a max grade of about 16%. From there, my first climb was Tumble Idell Rd off of Watson Rd. (It was fun) Once I caught on, I drafted behind the cross riders for at least 10 minutes while chatting with them a bit. I rode at least Threshold pace for 10 minutes catching up to the group who had no clue I was in hot pursuit.
Last week, for example, I rode down the NJ side of the canal towards Frenchtown and latched onto three cyclo cross riders. The ride consists of intervals on the canal path along with at least three climbs (on the roads) in the hills surrounding the canal. I try to mix it up so I don't ride the same route more than once a month. From there, I either ride my Mtn bike on the PA or NJ side. Normally, I drive down to the Delaware River in my car (btwn 9-10 a.m.) and park near the Black Bass Inn adjacent to the walking bridge to Bulls Island. Plus, the nasty/sloppy road conditions of the Winter make it more sensible to be off-road- at least I think so. For me, it's just too cold to be riding my road bike at 20+ mph on the road. If I had a cross bike (which I don't) I'd be riding that too. On Sunday mornings throughout the Winter I'll be riding my Mtn Bike for 2-3 hrs.
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