Morning ride with SFVBC out of Big Pine. The start of the ride is fairly tame, and while riding along for a while, I picked it up to my typical pace and soon found myself alone. As the real climbing started, which is only a couple of miles or so into the ride, my pulse rate started to climb also, well into the 160's; I did not figure I could keep up that effort for a 3 hour climb, so I tried to back off, but the climbing became even more strenuous and it took a while to get my pulse down into the 150's. A club member, Jeff Clarke, was reeling me in, and was within only 20 yards or so and I figured he was on his way by me as I have heard he is one of the stronger climbers in the club; I continued at the same level of perceived effort, and, for whatever, reason, Jeff dropped back and I was all alone for as far back as I could see for the rest of the ride up. I needed a good rest at the visitor's station when I reached it. Oh, and for the benefit of anyone trying this ride for the first time, as you start the switchbacks up the mountain, you can see a structure at the top, and cars parked and people; I mistakenly thought this was the top, and was sorely disappointed when I saw it was just a scenic stop on the way up, and there was considerable "up" still to go.