Tommy’s Triple Bypass
22 miles | 4,300 vertical climbing | 4.5 hours
Village >> Road warm up >> Up Tom’s Thumb (grind grind) >> Down Tom’s Thumb (hoot hoot) >> Up Windgate >> Down Wingate >> Down Windmill >> Down Coachwhip >> Pemberton >> Up Dixie Mine >> Up Up Up Prospector >> Up Bell >> Down Bell >> Gateway >> Horseshoe >> Village.
“Recover on the bike.” That was our motto. We knew we had to keep moving to finish this ride by 10:30 am. Riding solo I don’t usually push myself to keep going when I feel like it’s time to break. I use the camera as an excuse to stop. Riding with Paul, it was all I could do to keep up with him.
It has been a while since I rode with someone who can smoke me on the climbs and leave me nothing but dust to eat on the descents. Paul kept motivating me. Complimenting me along the way and setting time goals for the next climb. It’s been a while since I rode with structure. It was good for me to keep pushing.
Honestly, I had my doubts that we could do it. It was a big ride and a small window. But that’s what I enjoy most about riding, doing what your brain tells you is going to hurt. Pushing past the easy turnaround point. Going the distance, so far out that the only way back is climbing.
By the time we got to Prospector, I was slowing, but not stopping. Every granny stroke only brought me inches closer to the goal. But inches add up to feet add up to miles (as well as turn the tires).
I’m not quite ready for theMcDowell 60, but I’m closer. And that’s what matters.
Tommy’s Triple Bypass
Up and down TT is a full ride in itself. And yes, the earned descent is magical…
Just did this ride today, but went down the other side of TT to pemberton. what a blast! Thanks for the info!
Hi Mike…I am planning on riding part of this loop on Saturday in preparation for the McDowell 60 in December. I don’t have time to ride the entire loop since my spouse and others will be riding the Pemberton at McDowell Park and then picking me up on the other side of the Preserve. I will be starting from McDowell Mtn Park on the Pemberton trail and riding as much as I can with the goal being that I will finish at the 104th St trailhead where my ride will be picking me up. After studying your map I was thinking of picking up the loop at Coachwhip or Dixie Mine and riding the Windmill to Windgate Pass and then Desert Park Trail. Do you think this route makes the most sense or would you recommend something else? I need to keep the ride at about 3-ish hours or so. I have never ridden these trails before but I will have my GPS and a good sense of self-navigation with me. Thanks!
Mike, thanks for the props. In your humility, you failed to mention that I had a two week rest while you had sore legs from a Wednesday ride, I slept 7 hours the night before while you only got 2, and I was in my back yard while some of the terrain was new to you. Definitely the cards were stacked in my favor. I believe the 4k+ of elevation gain, but only 22 miles is crazy for the punishment we gave ourselves! Send me a text sometime for a Hawes or National adventure.
Up and down TT is a full ride in itself. And yes, the earned descent is magical…
I really love this route….I’ve done it just like this only without the up and back on TT….gotta try this next time since I hear the blast back down west-TT is awesome.