Two days ago, in beautiful Glen Rose, Texas, I did my 19th bike rally of the year and my 491st overall. This is the fourth time I've done the Quicksilver Paluxy Pedal. It's a hard rally. The course is up and down from beginning to end, with rough roads in places. The course features the Wall, which is the steepest climb I've done in any rally. You'd better be in your lowest gear at the bottom, or else you won't make it to the top. Unluckily for me, my chain came off just as I reached the bottom of the climb. I got off my bike, put the chain on, rode sideways on the road to get my second foot clipped in, and climbed to the top. It was intense. Several people were walking their bikes as I passed.
The weather was perfect. It was cool at the start but pleasant thereafter. The sun shone brightly and there was little wind. I rode with my friends Phil and Randy and had a great time. We stopped at three or four rest stops for refreshments. We talked about movies, politics, sports, and of course cycling. None of us was in a hurry to get home, so we took our time. I averaged 15.87 miles per hour for 57.91 miles. (Elapsed time = 3:38:53.) My heart rate reached 155 on the Wall. My average heart rate was only 96. I burned 3,323 calories and reached a top speed of 37.0 miles per hour. Congratulations to Phil for making it to the top of the Wall for the first time (in four tries). Who says 60 is old?
Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D. 