30 MINUTES

It's always fun climbing Cypress.  Regardless of whether you choose to noodle the mountain at a sedate pace, slowing to enjoy the vistas from each switchback, or ride the mountain angry, looking for a time to beat up on, Cypress is a magical place.  

The near constant 5% to 6% pitch allows you to lock into a trance-like, cathartic rhythm.  Depending on the nature and speed of the climb, mental focus can be broad, or pin-point narrow.  Last Thursday's climb was a little more narrow in scope than other rides - to beat the 30minute mark from the 2km sign.  FUN!  (Not really).

What does it take to ride sub-30 on Cypress?  A bit of determination and a heckuva lot of focus. More than anything though, it requires a constant power output, with little to no yo-yo'ing in pace.  I don't typically like to share ride data, but the graph below, indicating speed, power, heart rate and cadence, shows the complete story, from the start at the 2km marker all the way to the mountain-top finish, just underneath the powerlines.

A screen capture from Strava, the first line of data shows speed, averaging just over 20km/h, with a peak of 36.7km/h on the exit of the 2nd Lookout switchback. You can see the speed increases as the grade of the road levels, yet the power remains constant, evident in each of the three switchbacks.  On the next line, you can see power, expressed in watts.  I was looking to hold 360w for the climb, but fell just short of my objective - 359w avg - that just means another angry visit to the mountain is imminent.   The small spikes and valleys in the power output are indicative of shifts, as I momentarily lift off the gas, shift to a different gear, then stand to accelerate back up to the target load (360w).  In the first half of the climb, my aerobic fitness allows for fewer shifts and a higher cadence, as fatigue slowly creeps in, just past the 2nd Lookout, shifts increase in frequency, moving from a higher cadence to a lower cadence, recruiting more muscle groups in an effort to maintain power output.  Heart rate, as expected, is a smooth, linear line, increasing to 97% MHR as I cross the timing line.  An important note about HR is the narrow window, averaging 170, and peaking at 180bpm.  The frantic cadence data couples well with power output, reasonably smooth at first, then half way up the mountain, I start to struggle to keep pace, shifting more often, trying to find a quick rhythm. 

Strava shows an elapsed time of 30:17, measured from the Shed or Works Yard.  I typically (actually, I ALWAYS) time my efforts from the 2km marker, about 24 seconds past the Works Yard. By my rudimentary calculations, I think I cracked the elusive 30minute barrier, which at my advanced, decrepit old age, I'm very happy with!