Tour de Zwift Stage 3 opened today and I selected Group C ride going up Watopia’s Mountain Route. Starting at 12:03 PM I knew it was going to be along ride. It took 1:30:23 to complete the stage. This was no ride in the park. Over 18.51 miles I climbed 2,238 feet. Approaching the radio tower it was 12 to 15% for what seemed forever. I crawled along at 2 to 4 mph standing on the pedals for long stretches which is rare for me because I try to ride somewhat flat courses. Stage 2 was a flatlander special. Before writing this post I took a break and ate a snack.

I believe in Group C there were 619 people on the course. I managed to stay in the 510 to 525 position once the climbing began. The Zwift graphics a couple of times put me riding through rocks (about 1:05:00 in the ride, for example) on the side of the climbs but I didn’t slow down so they weren’t very thick ones. It was in the upper 50’s outside my home but lots of snow going up the mountain. The top of the mountain was at 1927 feet of climbing at 9.7 miles. The remaining 8.8 miles of the stage was mostly downhill with just 314 feet of climbing scattered along the course.

The miles today put me over my Zwift goal of 150 miles for January at 161 miles. Now the weather needs to let get outside so I can do the same for my 300 mile road goal.

After my last Zwift ride on Wednesday I waxed the chain on my Blue Norcross AL bike which made it mush quieter on today’s climb.

The scenery was interesting as we left the coast and climbed.

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Checking my previous Zwift rides I did not see where I rode this specific route but I have been up the mountain to the KQOM radio tower and back down. My Strava activity shows a multitude of medals: 4 gold and 29 silver. Good thing I didn’t have to carry them to the top.