Biking up Jump Off Rock

Today was a gorgeous day for biking. I got up thinking I was going to do a gentle bike ride with my web designer who is recovering from knee replacement. She decided overnight that I should challenge myself by riding up Jump Off Rock on the top of Laurel Park outside of Hendersonville, She lives part way up the long climb to Jump Off Rock so I thought I could give it a try. I had driven up to the top last summer and remembered wondering if I was ready for this “never ending” rather poorly graded climb. So Game On.

As the morning progressed, I came to understand that I was meeting with the 3 persons I would be riding with at the bottom of the steep climb – a much longer ride uphill than I have ever attempted before. As I am really trying to just say yes to physical challenges put in front of me, I had to go with it. Hendersonville is at 2100 feet and the Jump off Rock is 3100 feet. Believe me, it seemed like more than a 1000 foot climb.

It was a perfect day and while I did have to take a couple of short breaks to catch my breath and there were 2 short sections I had to walk 10-20 yards while I got my breath, I made it to the top. It was beautiful scenery. I was shocked at how steep the downhill ride seemed even though I had just ridden up it. I will take this as a win for today.

Thanks to Joe, Peggy and Catherine for their patience and encouragement on my ride UP the hill.

We continued to make progress on the website as well. A very satisfying day.