Suffer Sunday!

"Suffer Sunday" turned into a day that Lance said " we would remember for ever!"

The day started off with a 1.25 hour warm up on flat ground, and then a team challenge up the Haleakala Volcano. This is one of the only climbs you can do starting at sea level and climb up to 10,000 feet in roughly 60miles. This is the climb that Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin Slipstream) broke the course record in January! The game plan was to ride for 3hours or to the summit; which ever came sooner and then descend a bit and then run up. The only problem was 2hours into the climb, Maui turned to Toronto weather and the temperature at the top of the climb put everyone in a cold state. The group did awesome and at the end of the climb there was a lot of emotions because of how cold and tired everyone was, not to mention the ice on my shoes and helmet. After i took a quick descend to the information station where i was greeted with a heater and Organic Pop Tart from Brent, we hitched a lift to a chalet type restaurant and stood by the fire, as the rest of the group came down in the truck. Since the truck was packed Brent and I did a little more descending near the base to home and called it a day. I got in just over 5hours of riding and 3hours of solid climbing.

Here are a few pictures above. Lance and Mark did an amazing job in helping us out with gear and nutrition as we climbed and they made sure everyone was safe. Today is a recovery day with a light swim and another team meeting and dinner tonight at the coach's house. The recovery day that i will admit that i need. With nearly 30hours of solid intensity last week, my body is excited to recover!:)