Summit of ride at Tablerock Lake.
Susan and I went to Tablerock Lake in southwest Missouri this week for a vacation with family. Tablerock Lake is in the Ozark Mountains and has some good hills for biking.
Each day I rode a five mile circuit that included one hill with a 300 foot elevation change (along with other lesser hills). I rode several circuits each day. Loaded my hydration pack with water and a five pound metal disc (extra weight that would give me a harder workout).
Cranking up the long, steep ascents, I imagined I was a Tour de France rider, climbing the Alpe d’ Huez.
I was the only biker on those warm August days. People drove their cars to the hill’s summit. They would stop and take photos of the lake vista from the top. Often when I would reach the summit on a hill circuit, one or another person would make a comment as I was riding over the summit.
The of Tablerock Lake from the summit.
“If you just rode up this hill, You are the man. You are the MAN!”, said one guy. I did not tell him it was my third circuit. Just gave him a nod.
Another said, “Brutal. That is one brutal ride.” I just smiled and rode on, appreciating the comment. 
The ride was beautiful, the sun glinting off the foliage, birds singing, and the wind whistling past my ears.
There were many ups and downs on the five mile circuit. The descent down the big hill was wonderful. Down and around tight switchback curves, descending with speed. I leaned into each curve, scanning for road hazards and looking for the next turn. The disc brakes heated up and got a good workout. I felt like a Tour de France rider attacking the descents with gusto.
At the bottom of the big hill, I crashed through a bubbling stream that cooled the brakes. The water flew off my rear wheel, dampening my backside and cooling me down.
Click here for ride metrics (time, speed, elevation, map).
Riding in the Ozark mountains around Tablerock Lake is amazing – providing a good cardio workout while drinking in the beauty of God’s creation.
Big Cedar Lodge entrance.
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