Completing the ascent on Savage Mtn and the rest of the 'hilly' portion of the Savageman 1/2 Ironman Bike course. Started at Westernport, MD and after a couple warmup laps started the attack on Rock St in Westernport and the infamous Westernport Wall, a terribly paved (pot holes galour) couple hundred foot section of Rock St that is closed to traffic due to how steep it is (up to 33%!). Made two attempts, got almost the entire way up the first time before my wheel found a pot hole and almost took a nasty dive. The second time, I only made it 1/2 way up before I lost traction on my rear wheel and almost rode backwards down against my will! So I decided I had done what I could and after a kiss from Betsy, Cole and Trinity continued my ascent of Savage Mtn, about an additional 9 miles with grades routinely above 10% up to 15% at some points. After reaching the summit (approx. 2800 feet from 1000), I started the fast descent before beginning the second and third climbs, both with grades routinely above 10%, maxing out at about 17% in some places. This again summited at about 2800 feet and then I began a very quick decent out of New Germany State Park. I then reached Miller Rd, where a really bad hill with an avg of 15% grade and stretches above 25% are had. However, I was attacked by a big black burly dog at the base of the climb and chased about a 1/4 of a mile before he finally gave up. Because I couldn't pass it, I had to call Betsy and called it a day. Dissappointing I missed that last climb, but I finished the biggest part of what I wanted to accomplish! Great ride, beautiful view and then got to head back to my friend Sharka's Chalet in Friendsville where Betsy and I relaxed with Cole and the girls while we read.
Elevation and hill grade profile and Google Earth Image of the Course:
Westernport Wall, start of Savage Mtn Ascent 
Otto St Climb, > 20% grade
Starting the Rock St Climb, Westernport, MD
Climbing, >15% grade the entire way
Starting the Westernport Wall - >25% grade entire way
Tacking on the Wall...
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