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Roadie comments

Stephen J. Lis

8/26/10 07:35:39 AM

Tough hilly rides

Try the Markleeville Death Ride Ca. 129 miles,15,000 of climbing, 5 mountain passes. In the Sierra's just south of Lake Tahoe.

Jim Langley

8/27/10 03:50:04 PM

Terribe Two is vertical torture

Sorry if someone already mentioned this, but I thought I'd add that the Terrible Two in and around Santa Rosa, California and held in June, is one of the toughest hilly rides you'd ever want to suffer through - truly terribly tough. There's a 15-hour time limit. And, I believe the did-not-finish rate is about 30%. It's about 200 miles with 16,000 feet of climbing, most of it coming in the second century. Here's a link http://srcc.memberlodge.com/TT

Fred Zahradnik

8/26/10 08:07:23 AM

New Garmin Edge 800 Cyclecomputer

A new Garmin Edge 800 GPS cyclecomputer was announced this morning, a bit past RBR's deadline for this week. Thought I'd just drop in a link to my first ride and review of the Edge 800. I'll be doing a more in-deprth review for RBR after I get more mileage on this new touchscreen device:
http://gps.about.com/od/sportsandfitness/fr/Garmin-Edge-800-Review.htm

David

8/26/10 08:20:54 AM

RBR Poll - Mirrors

I disdained the idea of mirrors for a while, mostly because the people I saw using them didn't look like my ideal for a dedicated roadie. In discussions I had people say "You never see a rider in the TdF wearing one" and "just turn your head".

On an aggressive group ride I noticed that the strongest rider—one that puts 12K mi / year in—had one. He was always able to keep our group together if someone started to drop and warn of cars on narrow country roads, even if he was in the lead position.

I decided to try a small glasses mirror out and instantly became addicted. For the reasons mentioned above it's just plain faster for seeing behind you. No more being shocked when a fast moving car comes screaming up from behind.

If you are avoiding a mirror for the "dork factor" I recommend you give it a try. Best enhancement I've made to my riding in a long time.

Marc J

8/26/10 09:08:54 AM

Hilly Hundred in Indiana Oct 9-10

Be sure to keep this classic ride in Indiana on your radar. LOTS of cyclists meet here annually from the midwest, southeast and east coast for this well-organized event -- literally a rolling party of 5,000 people biking 100 miles and over 9,000 feet of climbing in two days. Some steep (24%!) hills but mostly manageable riding. Live music at all of the rest stops and more entertainment in the evening. Fun people, good roads, beautiful countryside - and fall foliage, too! More at www.hillyhundred.org

Biketime

8/26/10 09:12:31 AM

Peek Back Under Your Elbow

And in the same issue with a poll about mirror use? Please.

To reinforce David's post, unless one is perhaps in an actual race, why play the peeking game with its attendant risks? Get some kind of a mirror.

Makes the an important aspect of the ride ride easier, safer, and more enjoyable. I know I like to just have to flick me eye to the mirror and see what's back there. No dangerously startling surprises that way.

To those who say they dorky,(a) that's what our kids say about wearing a helmet and (b) would you drive a car on a daily basis without having a side mirror? No? So why would you ride a bike on the street 2k or 12k a yr without one?

Fred Matheny

8/26/10 09:30:05 PM

peeking

Quite a few riders like to use a mirror in combination with a peek under the elbow to make doubly sure of what's behind them.

Jamie Andrews

8/26/10 09:35:21 AM

quite hilly ride

I recently did the Mille Cymru 1000km audax. This is 621 miles and has 44291 feet of ascent or an average of 71 feet/mile over the whole distance

Glen Thompson

8/26/10 10:31:50 AM

Choosing Climbing Cadence & Gearing

I couldn't agree more! I spent a long time shopping for my present bike because most bikes for sale had the usual high gearing that is no use on hills. I would like to see more practicality in gearing of bikes for sale for "mere mortal" riders!

BTW, I have been aware of my wattage (about 250) for a long time and I think in terms of strength usage being quite separate from power output. In fact I like to maintain a slightly higher cadence on climbs than on the flat, because I choose to work harder when going uphill - you get better value from your energy in terms of shaving seconds off your time.

Scott O

8/26/10 10:55:56 AM

Death Ride

The Tour of the California Alps (aka Death Ride) is a nasty single day event. Depending on the course, it is usually 15,000' of climbing in around 115 miles. And most at an altitude of 8,000'+.

John W

8/26/10 11:38:48 AM

Straight up to the Clouds

Here's one to add to your list of tough climbs. Mount Haleakala on the island of Maui is a beast. Starting at sea level you climb to 10,200 feet in 36 miles. And while there aren't any 20% grades along the way, you don't get a break in the climbing. It's just mile after mile of 5-6% grade.

Highly recommended.

Steve Atkins

8/26/10 12:38:56 PM

Hilly Rides

Whitney Classic - Death Valley to Mt. Whitney CA. 135 miles, 15,300 climbing
Start temperature in Death Valley usually above 105, 3 long climbs riding through the night and finishing at the Mt. Whitney Portal.

http://whitneyclassic.com/whitney.htm

Mack

8/26/10 12:49:27 PM

Gearing

I live near Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. I like to ride. I'm old. I'm fat. My best bike is a an older 9 speed, 5.9 Madone.
I have an Ultegra triple (53-39-24 and 11-34) on it.
Looks kind of funny, but who cares, because as I said, I like to ride.

Sam

8/26/10 12:59:53 PM

Mauna Kea

The toughest climb I've found in the US is Mauna Kea on Hawaii's big island.

It climbs from 6,000 feet to 13,300 feet over roughly 10 miles (730 feet/mile). I rode it on a rental bike without an odometer, so my distance is an estimate based on google maps.

Part of it is washboarded dirt, which makes the descent perhaps more difficult than the ascent. In hindsight a mountain bike would have been a better bet, both for the lower gears and fatter tires.

For extra credit, you can add 25 miles and 6000 vertical feet by starting at sea-level in Hilo (380 f/m over 35 miles). This climb makes Hawaii's more famous climb (Haleakala) look like a sunday morning casual ride.

8/26/10 01:08:14 PM

Assault on Mt. Mitchell

Road bike magazine had the Assault on Mt. Mitchell but RBR does not? This ride is sick for the last 30 miles. I swear I reach out over my bars and touch the pavement it was so steep in sections. I cannot believe you did not have this ride in your list.

Ed Pavelka, RBR editor/publisher

8/26/10 03:17:44 PM

Mt. Mitchell

Aw c'mon, any ride where I can finish in the top 10 is not that hard. The Assault was fun, though, except for the part where I didn't get my bike back until 11 p.m.

Chris

8/26/10 01:13:14 PM

Killer Hill

Haleakala on Maui. 38 miles from shore to summit (10,000 feet). 27 miles from near the base to the summit (~9000 feet). Though the climb is epic, the descent is unbeatable.

Jeramy

8/26/10 01:16:51 PM

Hilly rides

Don't forget the Triple Bypass in CO (120 Mi and 10,000+ ft including three passes at 11,140, 11,990, and 10,560 ft).

The worst one day event I have heard of is CO's Montezuma's Revenge, a (former) 24hr mountain bike race for distance. The record is 156 mi and 32,350 ft of gain, all at an altitude between 9000 and 14272 ft!

Sam

8/26/10 01:23:04 PM

Mauna Kea redux

Actually it looks like my memory was a little faulty. Google maps linked below:

Hilo - Mauna Kea: http://tinyurl.com/2av2nq8
Total distance from Hilo: 43 miles.
Starting elevation: 0
Ending elevation: 13,600
Feet/Mile: 316
Avg grade: 6%

Mauna Kea climb: http://tinyurl.com/2aabs9w
Total distance from Hwy 200: 15 miles.
Starting elevation: 6500
Ending elevation: 13,600
Feet/Mile: 473
Avg grade: 9%

Regardless, considering the road conditions, the elevation, and that you're likely acclimatized at sealevel, I'd guess this is in the top 10 toughest climbs in the US.

Scott

8/26/10 02:17:52 PM

Looking Under Your Elbow

I tried this before and it's a great way to check for riders close to you. However, it is a quite a bit more difficult to use the technique to check back a further distance for cars. That's proably because I'm not as flexible as I used to be (code for "yeah, I'm over 45").

Chuck in Ventura

8/26/10 02:32:54 PM

Two comments

First, I am amazed at the number of riders who do not use a mirror. Are you the guys who change lanes when you are driving when there isn't enough room to get in where you want to go because you don't use mirrors when you drive too? I would no more ride my bike in traffic without a mirror than I would drive my car without a mirror. Who cares about dorky look? I want to arrive home without being maimed.

I would be more impressed with the traffic cone bag if it were day glo green instead of orange. Day glo green has much more visibility than the orange.

Mike

8/26/10 06:23:58 PM

Mirrors

I have tried several but don't anymore. My observations:

Unless I'm decending very fast, I'll hear the car coming behind me. A mirror MAY tell me sooner, but that means spending a lot of time looking back.

Using a mirror takes your eyes off the road. I see some guys swinging their head all around trying to see. Maybe they'll miss seeing the pothole in front of them.

So you see a dangerous vehicle coming up. What are you going to do - pull off? No, probably you'll just cringe. Perhaps it's good to know, but I'd rather the car avoid me rather than me avoid them.

I'm glad to give way to drivers. But unless you have dificulty hearing I can't find an advantage in a mirror.

Safer Cyclist

8/26/10 09:07:57 PM

Here's the advantage you can't find

A mirror tells you when there's NO imminent traffic behind. Then you can relax and ride somewhere beside the edge of the road if you'd like. It shows you that it's safe to swing around a suddenly appearing pothole, gravel patch or broken glass. When you don't know the rear is clear, you might have to hit those things for fear of swerving in front of an overtaking car.

More useful information, that's the advantage of a rearview mirror.

a rider

8/26/10 02:33:33 PM

re: "3-in-1 Reversible Traffic Cone Bag"

I like to support bike-specific companies, especially smaller players like this. But I just have to point out that I've been using a very similar safety orange backpack for several years - that I got from Bass Pro Shops for $10.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_21994____SearchResults

Jim Langley

8/27/10 03:42:22 PM

TCB

Thanks for that link, but apart from being orange and being a bag, this bag from Bass Pro isn't "very similar" to the TCB. The beauty of the TCB is how it quickly changes from shoulder to messenger bag to smaller bag and how it reverses for traffic and business use. But, if all you want is an orange bag, your link looks good. I guess the bloodproof feature might even be good if you crash ;-)

8/26/10 03:18:10 PM

Hilly Ride

Socal Breathless Agony 114 miles 12,000 ft but all the climbs except for maybe 1 mile comes on the first 71 miles. 30 mile ascent from the ranger station is a challenge and the descent on the way back gave me tricep cramps.

GE in Austin

8/26/10 03:22:48 PM

Climbing in Austin, Texas

When people think of Austin Texas bike riding, they aren’t thinking 14,600 ft of elevation gain in a 105 mile ride. We may not have the 5% 10 mile climbs but we do have a few 1/2 milers that will top out at 20%+

http:/www.tourdashugel.com

fwf

8/26/10 03:54:36 PM

39x26, 11-28

I agree about pro power/gearing v. everyone else. This year I got a "climbing bike" with a 39x26 crank and 11-28 cassette. When I first rode it I thought, "Oh this must be how the pros feel when they're climbing mountains." I can finally get some rpms going on climbs. It's the bike I rode on my 60mi/8400ft training ride yesterday.

Ted Kallman

8/26/10 03:57:27 PM

Notes and News

Try the Deerfield Dirt-Road Randonnee in northwest Massachusetts and southern Vermont. 112 miles--16,000 feet of climbing--70% dirt roads, but easily rideable on a road bike.

Terry

8/26/10 04:28:01 PM

Hillier Than Thou

5600' in 20 miles, with most of the climbing in the middle 16 miles. That's Mt Graham in Arizona, site of the annual AZ/NM Hillclimb Championships. That's about 350' per mile in the climb portion.

It's ridable most of the year, where a lot of these other climbs are only ridable for a few summer months.

Terry

8/26/10 04:44:56 PM

Steep Hills

Short but steep. We have a 52% climb on Fort Huachuca, probably not much more than a hundred feet or so. You'll want to bring your mountain bike for it tho, as the approach up Coyote Canyon is a bit steep and bumpy.

Locally, in Sierra Vista, we have another short climb, couple hundred feet, and I'm estimating about 40% gradient.

There's a nice climb over in Bisbee too, somewhere in the 20% - 25% range, on the old Crit Course that used to be part of La Vuelta de Bisbee. The racers did 20 laps on this course.

Kris Spickler

8/26/10 04:48:30 PM

My Toughest Climbs

Climb to Kaiser, Clovis, CA:
Tough climb, top 10 in US for sure. Close to 14,000 foot vertical, 155 miles, temperatures from 60F to 110F, 5 major climbs with double digit % grades. The worst is Big Creek Road, 4 miles average 10% but teh first 3 miles is 12% and better. Timed,uug.
http://www.climbtokaiser.com/index.html

Son of Deathride next (not Deathride, much tougher).....17,000 foot vertical, 123 miles out of Kernville, CA over the Sierras to Hwy 395 and back.
http://www.sonofdeathride.com/

But my favorite has to be a solo from Lakewood, CO to Mt. Evans and back last August....mountain goats and all. I got a little nausea, 14,000+ elev..

Louis

8/26/10 05:24:53 PM

Uphill at high altitude

There is this climb in La Paz, Bolivia (south America) that starts at 4,000 ft and ends at 15,400 ft. That is over 11,000 ft elevation gain in only 39 miles. Half of it on gravel and half on pavement. It's a popular downhill attraction for tourists but once a year there is a race uphill. This year's race is September 25th.
www.yolosalacumbre.loshuanca.org

jhswope

8/26/10 05:25:14 PM

Pikes Peak or Bust!!!

New this year Assault on the Peak. Manitou Springs to the top of Pikes Peak. 24.5 miles 7700 ft of climbing and you get to ride it back down. Starting at 6400ft above sea level and finishing at 14,110 ft. Pack your oxygen bottles.

maude

8/26/10 06:11:56 PM

scott's spin - any issue

These are just plain stupid. I've never gotten anything out of them. Drop this nonsense!

Harry

8/26/10 07:43:45 PM

Don't drop Scott!!!

I love Scott's "nonsense." His Spin is the first place I go when a new newsletter comes out.

Don't drop Scott (plenty of riders can probably do that), put him at the top so I can find him easier.

Chris

8/27/10 05:44:33 PM

Scott is funny

Not the first thing I read, but I definitely read it and he's usually pretty funny. I like it.

old guy

8/26/10 07:20:29 PM

Mirrors

I've been using the Bike Peddler Take A Look Cycling Mirror for several years. I ride narrow two lane mountain roads and often can't hear cars coming up behind me when I am descending. All it takes is a glance, you don't have to take your eyes off of the road to use it. Road hazards are another factor. I know where the pot holes are and I can scan in my mirror and know if I can veer around them, or slow down to let a car pass. The Take A Look is the only mirror that attaches to your glasses that work. I've used mine for so long that sometimes when I am walking across a parking lot I will glance upward to the left to see if a car is coming up behind me, then remember I'm not riding. Dork appearance or not, I would not think of riding without one.

Mack

8/26/10 07:59:13 PM

Mirrors

Absotively, posilutely, Take A Look mirrors are the very best!
Attached to my sunglasses, the mirror lets me know what's going on behind me in detail. I can see what's coming and how many. Cars, pick-up trucks, semi-trucks, bikes, vehicles with trailers, motorcycles, etc., I can see them all, and all it takes is a one second glance. I don't have to wonder what the heck is coming and just stay far right. Sand, gravel, glass on the shoulder? I know when I can get around it on the left w/o getting in a vehicle's way. So, I know when there's nobody back there, and if they are, I know how far back. I know when I can use the lane. Works great especially when descending when the wind keeps you from hearing anything.
I wouldn't ride without one.
And you're right, after a weekend of riding, I've caught myself cutting my eyes to my left while walking down a hallway at work to see who was talking behind me.
The safety factor is obvious.
Get one. It's a little bit of money well spent.

Bill

8/26/10 08:17:22 PM

Low

Wife's bike: 26x36x46 triple w/ a 13-34 megarange freewheel on a 21 lb bike.

Jay Cazes

8/26/10 08:49:23 PM

Hillier Than Thou

I can't believe that in an article titled Hillier Than Thou that you guys excluded the ride by the same name http://www.active.com/cycling/port-murray-nj/hillier-than-thou-2010. At the very least, with it's emblem being death riding on a bicycle, It deserves honorable mention!
Jay Cazes

Ed Pavelka, RBR editor/publisher

8/26/10 08:57:09 PM

Hillier list

Jay, RBR didn't originate the list of hilly rides in newsletter No. 453. They came from our readers. That's why we asked for folks to tell us about others. Thanks for doing that.

Greg Charlton

8/26/10 08:53:53 PM

Mirrors

Hello everyone ,
Hey guys , just wanted to weigh in on the mirror question … I’m 52 and have been riding some type of bike for yrs . On my favorite road bike I have a mirror made by Mirrycle Corp in Boulder Co . It is lightweight , easy to install and I will not ride without it . This is another mystery of life or simply a testament to our vanity . We roadies utilize mirrors on every other vehicle we use but won’t put one on a bicycle ... it's plain boneheaded . I’ve heard all the excuses but considering the danger that is ALWAYS out there , they just don’t hold up , especially with the mirrors available today . Just my 2 cents …

Greg Charlton
Prattville Al .

Bill M

8/26/10 09:48:56 PM

hill climbing

THE Sram Apex sounds like it has in- cedible low range ability.

Rob K.

8/26/10 10:00:32 PM

Diabolical Double

Want a real challenge? Gran Fondo Diabolical Double: 125+ miles, over 15,500' of climb! http://www.winthefight.org/granfondo/diabolical_double.htm

cynical cyclist

8/26/10 10:05:47 PM

Gyro expanding into high end cycling shoes

Pardon my cynicism, but, I won't buy ANYTHING made my Gyro any more. They'll probably make the shoes in China and charge huge markups, just like ALL their helmets.

Confirmed mirror user, (and possible Fred)

8/26/10 10:09:35 PM

Mirrors

I love my mirror. After buying it, I won't leave home now without it. It allows me to ride in the lane and see when cars are coming up behind me so I can move over. No longer do I have to turn around to see what's behind me. A small 1-2 inch turn of my head allows me to sweep the whole panorama behind me. It's fantastic.

Mark

8/26/10 10:40:33 PM

SRAM Apex

May be another alternative to get low climbing gears while being able to keep a double crankset up front.

Moser

8/27/10 12:58:42 AM

No mirror

I do not have the need to know when cars are coming along behind me unless I'm making a left turn or some other manauver necesitating looking behind. I prefer to look over my shoulder to let the vehicle driver see that I know they're there. I'm confident that drivers are not trying to run over cyclists or pedestrians.

Steve

8/27/10 02:47:48 AM

Killer Rides

Australia's Sea-to-Summit - 248Km/150 miles with 5500 metres/18000 feet climbed.

Kyle Y

8/27/10 04:34:58 AM

Tough Hilly Rides

The Garrett County Gran Fondo (Allegheny Mountains of western Maryland). http://www.winthefight.org/granfondo

Diabolical Double - 125 miles, 15,800 feet of climbing

Savage Century - 102 miles, 12,600 feet of climbing

Fabulous Fifty - 50 miles, 5800 feet of climbing.

All elevation verified as legitimate on multiple barimetric GPS devices.

Jack Wieting

8/27/10 01:06:15 PM

tough climbs

I nominate the East Portal in Black Canyon of the Gunnison N.P. 16% for 8 miles

Fred Matheny

8/28/10 08:36:08 PM

East Portal

That one is in my backyard. It's only 3 miles averaging 16% but you have to climb 6-7 miles of 8% to get to the steep descent and the climb back out. Spectacular road cut into the steep wall of Black Canyon.

wheelsucker1

8/27/10 02:05:44 PM

mountain mama

Besides mountain mama I have experienced 4 other
challenging centuries: blood,sweat and gears(nice ride}
mt mitchell(almost entire last 30mi uphill) ,bridge to
bridge(final climb up grandfather mountain very steep)
and the most difficult for me mountains of misery with
a very steep final climb up to mountain lake. Ouch.

Chris

8/27/10 05:41:13 PM

climbing the wall

Sounds like triple's days might be numbered. SRAM now has an 11-32 cassette, which when combined with a 34-tooth compact chainring betters the final drive ratio of a 30-tooth chain ring and 28-tooth cassette.

Michael

8/27/10 06:09:01 PM

Other Monster Mountain Climbs

Tour of the California Alps (aka Death Ride). Starts at 6500'. Climbs 16,000 feet in 129mi. One day. (124'/mi).

Lostin Austin

8/27/10 10:24:57 PM

Killer Ride

Tour Das Hugel - Austin TX
http://www.tourdashugel.com/history.htm
105 miles and 14,600 ft
IF you finish, you get a T-shirt.

Ted.

8/27/10 11:10:03 PM

Cadillac Challenge

Jim only experienced part of the glory of Mount Desert Island, Maine. Take the Cadillac Challenge Century on October 3. One hundred miles with almost 7,000 feet of climbing. New asphalt, one way two lane roads, beautiful scenery, need I say more?

Alex d.

8/28/10 03:10:43 PM

rollers to train @ high cadence

Since i purchased my E-Motion rollers and do an hr. or so on them as a WU{ I dont really focus on watts or power in this WU.,just cadence} before Main Set of intervals..my average cad has gone from 87-90 to 105-125 for a 65-70 mile ride.. it has also helped me to get my Threshold power up by 12 watts in a 20 min TT in the same period of time ...And i am an amateur woman who is 57 years old. i believe that improving my average cadence has been not the single thing that has helped my performance but one of the top three. Rollers are such a great aid in getting you really comfortable the above 100rpm. territory... i definetly do not have or will ever have an abundance of shear power in my legs, but using a high cadence has enabled me to see progress in my training even at my age.i will add that i am blessed though with a low resting HR.,which is about 40..Love reading the newsletter,So THANXS.AD

Jim Williams

8/28/10 06:21:09 PM

Plagiarism

Gentlemen: As I'm sure you know, "Hillier than Thou" is the name of a ride sponsored every year by Central Jersey Bicycling
Club in western Jersey. It involves over 10,000 feet of climbing in about 103 miles. I think you should have at least mentioned
the ride if you are going to commandeer the title.

Ed Pavelka, RBR editor/publisher

8/29/10 10:07:26 AM

Our bad

Jim, you're right. Although no reader nominated Hillier Than Thou in the feedback on toughest centuries, we should have looked it up and included it in the write-up in newsletter No. 453. The name fit the feedback, so we borrowed it without thinking further.

Jay Ivison

8/28/10 06:43:51 PM

Hill climbs

No one mentioned the Death Ride. This year was their 30th anniversary. It is 129 miles and over 15,000 ft of climbing (five passes, all over 8000 ft altitude)and is superbly supported.
All but the last pass are closed to traffic. It sells out to 3000 riders in about 4 hours in December. Temps range from the 40's to over 100 degrees. It's a wonderfully challenging ride!

Peter

8/28/10 07:14:31 PM

Mt. Washington Hill Climb

I did this mother of a climb twice. Once to celebrate turning 50. Then the next year to try and better my time. Unfortunately, on the second event, 60 MPH winds actually blew over smaller riders during the top 2 miles - even the pros. It was next to impossible to remount. For once, I was glad to be in the Clydesdale category. Being in complete fog and watching the intense wind rip number tags off bikes was a never-forget moment. It was awesome in a way only a pedaler can understand.

Peter

8/28/10 07:29:52 PM

I'm a mirror fan

Ever since a local rider was killed by a car who drifted onto the shoulder, I’ve made it a habit to look in my Take-a-Look bike mirror when I hear a car approaching. I check to make sure the driver slides over to the left a bit. This has worked well for me and provides a certain level of comfort.

As I circled my local lake last Friday, I heard a car approaching. I checked my mirror. A white pickup truck was right behind me. To my horror, the shoulder’s white strip was between the truck’s wheels. The guy was driving completely in the shoulder!

In seconds, my heart rate doubled as I immediately rode to the right edge of the shoulder, blocked from going further as the guardrail rubbed my right calf. Barely pedaling, I braced (Silly, I suppose, but my reaction at the moment.) for whatever was about to happen—completely terrified. There was no time to jump the guardrail.

Thankfully, the truck was mostly back on the road when he passed. Perhaps a cell phone user?

Richard Lawrence

8/28/10 09:38:20 PM

Mountain Climbs

Ed, yes the Bighorn climb on the 1993 Northern PAC Tour was a tough one - 25 miles straight up!
How about the annual Assault on Mt. Mitchell which is 102 mi. from Spartanburg, SC to the top of Mt/M with over 12,000 ft. of climbing, more than half of which is in the last 30 mi. when you're all tired out!
I believe you know about this one.

Steve T.

8/29/10 03:59:16 PM

Wicked Wednesday's

Although no such training ride takes place where I live I do most of my riding with a 26 and 43 year old females. (I'm 52 and male) The humiliation takes place every single time we ride. Our hilly ride consist of several medium climbs and 4 leg breaking walls that send my HR to 180bpm. Yes, it's embarrassing, but I keep showing up for this punishment. Out weighing the both of them by about 130lbs. one would have to ask why I continue the punishment. The challenge of hills is something that only true cyclist strive to master. I've ridden with people who dread every hill and eventually these types of people fade from this great sport. So to the guy that gets his butt whipped every Wednesday, keep your head high because like you said, you show up every Wednesday even when you know the pain and suffering is endless. It's this pain and suffering now that will make you live to 100 and even though you may never be the king of Wednesday's you're doing more then 98% of all the fat lazy people.

Mariette

8/29/10 10:30:49 PM

Mt. Evan's Ride Report

With Mntn Mama X3, Mntns of Misery X7, Blue Ridge Extreme X2, and The Diabolical Double behind us, we flew from Virginia to do Mt. Evans this year. Fearful of the no air zone at 14,100 ft., I likely didn't work hard enough, so we are headed back next year with plans to acclimate a week and then give it our all. We think Mt. Evans is beautiful, spectacular, we had a grand time, we loved it, & the descent was heaven. Here in Virginia Vesuvius and Reeds Gap are painful in their own special steep way. If your really want to test your mettle, we suggest The Diabolical Double at the Garrett County Gran Fondo.

Scooter

8/30/10 12:05:01 AM

Mirrors

I never leave home without my mirror. I find I feel more comfortable and I know what traffic is doing. I always look back before a lane change for left turn etc. cause you can miss vehicles just using the mirror. Also I can see when a vehicle is making that extra effort to give me room and I always give them a friendly wave prior to the pass. Also, as a group ride leader allows me to monitor form the front. After a bike tour I'm so used to it I miss it when I'm out hiking and walking always looking to see what's sneaking up.

I dun it

8/31/10 04:32:46 PM

Hilly Hundreds?

How about hilly 32's.
Haleakala Volcano on Maui. 10,500 feet in 32 miles.

Michael B.

9/1/10 12:04:07 AM

Another Crazy Climbing Ride

How about the ride I did just this past weekend. The "Son of Death Ride". It features 138 miles and 17,000 feet of climbing. This ride is an out and back that starts on the floor of the Mojave Desert, crosses the Southern Sierras in both directions, while passing through Sequoia National Forest and returns to the Mojave Desert.

Berkshires

9/1/10 03:34:33 PM

Hilly Ride - Greylock Century

Berkshire (Massachusetts) Cycling Association annual ride. 10,000 feet climbing includes Mt Greylock and other climbs.
http://www.berkshirecycling.org/rides/greylock_map.php