The first couple of days of December 2007 I moved to Scarborough Ont and in the days after while riding and running from near Morningside and Sheppard. Checked an area noted on the paper map I had near the Zoo that might be interesting. The Rouge Valley system.
And found the highest point in Scarborough, Ben Trash. The retired Beare Rd Landfill which from here on out will be referred to as Ben Trash. And of course ran up and explored all around it. Actually had two other challenges like this in the Rouge but they are no more so this leaves us with this one. And with all the recent interest in Ben Trash in the last couple of years reminded me of this.
So this comes to the Ben Trash Surprise Hill Sprint. What is that? In simple terms it is an unplanned at the moment hill climb sprint up Ben Trash. And the reason it is a surprise is because you never know when the sprint is on. How come? It is started by the CN Rail freight train if and when it comes through. There is and was no Strava record of your effort. This is old school only you know and the freight train know if your effort that day was acceptable enough. And it is unpredictable as hell because you never know when the freight train will come and that day may mean no sprint if no freight train.
So what is the start of this? Well it gets a bit complicated as there are a few versions that evolved from the first version. I have done this first as a trail runner and on a mountain bike. It is both fun and at times really sucks.
Version 1: Starts at the bottom of Ben Trash and is started when you hear the CN Freight horn in the distance. Once you hear that horn you hit thill as fast as you can and the goal is to get as far up Ben Trash via the access road before the lead locomotive gets to the crossing.
Version 2: Is similar to the first with a slight variation. Sometimes got to the tracks and crossed just before the lead locomotive arrived at the crossing. So this variations goal is to get as far up Ben Trash as you can before the last rail car goes past the crossing.
Variation 3: When your further up the Ben Trash access road say half way and hear thee train horn. Goal is to get to the top of Ben Trash before the lead locomotive gets to the crossing.
Of course there is one factor in this that makes it harder. You don't know how fast that freight train will be that day and time. My general rule when I did this was no exceptions. Regardless of weather it was to be done. Sleep poorly get it done. Do the work.
Is this maybe a dumb way to get some fast hill climb work in? Maybe. But you never know if or even when you have to work as following the guidelines you have no clue when it will happen as the CN Rail schedule will make the decision for you. Which makes for way less boring training. This by the way would be more along the Tom Tug Warren methodology of training.
Maybe one day will revisit this old school Anti Strava challenge.
If you like these adventures please support Team No Fixed Income
Комментарии