the 5200 project - episode 3: as hard as i remember

Seven years since I last climbed Larch Mountain. It's 14 miles up with no bailout points, and the road closes for the winter soon, so this was probably my last chance until next year. Episode 3 of The 5200 Project: 93 miles from home, across Portland, out to the Columbia River Gorge, up Larch Mountain to Sherrard Point, and back home by way of Stark Street and the Springwater Corridor. Larch isn't steep. It's just long. Plenty of food, an easy pace, and a lot of patience got me to the top. If there's a climb you haven't done in years, that's really the whole strategy. THE RIDE Distance: 92.86 mi Elevation gain: 7,219 ft Max elevation: 3,908 ft (4056 ft at Sherrard Point) Max grade: 12.1% THE 5200 PROJECT Logged: 3846 of 5,200 mi To go: 1354 mi · ~135 mi/week needed (counting weeks I will be out of town) Larch put me ahead of pace for the week. The week after, I came up short. What's the ride you haven't done in years that you'd go back to? Tell me in the comments. CHAPTERS 00:00 Early, foggy start 00:53 Across Portland to Troutdale 03:01 Larch Mountain Road 04:50 Sherrard Point 05:47 The descent 07:08 Springwater and the climb home Music: "You Got This" by Reveille, licensed via Soundstripe Ride Revival: encouraging riders over 40 to find their next adventure on a bike. Merch: https://riderevival.printful.me #cycling #portland #larchmountain