Rain, Pain, And Elevation Gain

I checked the weather radar this morning. It looked like my area would remain clear for  two or three hours. The forecast called for a 30% chance of rain. I jumped on the bike and headed for Green Bluff to do some climbing. I recently read about a race to be held on Green Bluff in June and it mentioned there was 500 feet of elevation gain to the top of Green Bluff. Today I decided to ride to the top five times.

Of course, when there's a 30% chance of rain, it becomes 100% when you're on a bike during this time of year. The rain started right before I got there. I climbed up Day Mount Spokane road and it was pretty easy (green arrows on the map). Going down I had the wind and rain in my face and I'd cool off way too much. The second time up I thought this was really not the best competitive climb to go up Green Bluff. Then it dawned on me. I had the route backwards. The climb during the race goes up Green Bluff Road.

So I went up Green Bluff (red arrows) three times, which was much more challenging. And it was 500 feet. Climbing wasn't all that uncomfortable but I was getting real tired of cooling off while downhilling into the wind and rain. 

Of course, the rain stopped and the sun came out right after I got home after 2-1/2 hours of riding.