Well I have returned from my BIG trip and it is time to clear some business off my desk.

Firstly, the ascent of Whiteface Mtn went exactly as planned. I wanted to keep my HR out of threshold for basically entire climb which was successful. My new 36-tooth cassette was clutch as my average cadence for the climb was a measly 65 rpm.

The climb is a monster at 13km with 8.6% average gradient (1074 total vert gained). The lower pitches are steepest with a half kilometer average 11-12% but then tapered to stay consistently hard for the rest of the climb. The climb was gorgeous with immaculate road conditions and insane vistas throughout of the High Peaks wildness of the Adirondacks. 

At the top, I was joined by Bertina who joined me for the short hike along a ridge to the true summit at 1483m, then we drove down.