I've been wanting to do this ride for a while. I thought today would be my last shot before summer got into full swing. I call it "The (metric) Half Century from Hell". It's actually 60km, not 50, but what's an extra 10km when you're riding up a mountain? Route on top, elevation on bottom.
1) it was hotter than I wanted to admit, and especially while going slow up the mountain.
2) I did not bring enough water. Especially the last five miles of climbing up the mountain, I was getting worried about my hydration. After I got done, I stopped and had lunch. I drank probably 40oz of water and still haven't peed yet.
That rise starting from the lowest spot to where my mark on the elevation chart is over 1400 feet of elevation in right about 10 miles. Absolutely brutal. This might actually be a "fun" ride in the right time of year. I can tell you now, June is *not* the right time of year.