edited... The registration is open for the Dairyland Dare in August.
They have hilly routes of 100, 200, and even 300k. It's similar to the more well known Horribly Hilly Hundreds, but starts further west in Dodgeville and only shares a couple of roads as the HHH. 2006 was the first time for this ride and the organizer has been really open to suggestions for improvements to make it even better for 2007. Click here for a few ride reports from last year (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=219051&highlight=dairyland).
Here's the e-mail detail from Stewart the organizer...
-The Dairyland Dare will be on Saturday August 11, 2007
-Registration will open on Active.com on March 7th at 10:00AM CST
-The ride will be limited to 1,200 riders.
100K - 450 riders
200K - 450 riders
266K & 300K combined - 300 riders
[The link to active.com for the event is http://active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1421920]
Registration for the May 6th ICHS QuadruPedal SPRING Century is open NOW on at : http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1420256 Check this one out as a great spring tune up. It's fully supported and has hilly route options from 35 to 100 miles
Kenal0
03-09-07, 08:48 AM
Did you go up the night before or just leave real early?
I might be up for 100K but 200K of torture, I am not sure I can do that.
Kenal0
CyLowe97
03-09-07, 08:56 AM
I drove the morning of. Left my place near Elgin around 3:30 or so and had time to stop for breakfast/coffee and relax before the start. I usually don't sleep much the night before rides and am up by 5:00 most days, anyway, so it wasn't a problem for me losing an hour and a half of sleep.
kpumpy
03-09-07, 01:24 PM
Couldn't resist -- I'm in. Time to go do some hill climbs.:)
Psimet2001
03-09-07, 06:25 PM
Did you go up the night before or just leave real early?
I might be up for 100K but 200K of torture, I am not sure I can do that.
Kenal0
I'm down for 100k. - 200k torture fests are great...when they're flat. I haven't registered yet. Anyone know how long registration will be open before it fills?
CyLowe97
03-09-07, 06:39 PM
Anyone know how long registration will be open before it fills?
An e-mail from yesterday says this: "registration for the 2007 Dairyland Dare opened yesterday morning. Over one quarter of the available 1,200 slots have filled in just one day. That puts us about 77 days ahead of last year's registration! YIKES! It looks like the Dairyland Dare will hit capacity this year. If you and your friends intend to ride, you should consider signing up in the next few days."
According to the website, 400 riders total last year, so this one will probably have quite a few more.
mmerner
03-09-07, 07:08 PM
According to the website, 400 riders total last year, so this one will probably have quite a few more.
that doesn't sound right. Last year the 100k and 200k were filled. the 266/300k had a few open seats.
dave342
03-09-07, 07:28 PM
So CyLowe97 trying to get the band back together. This sounds interesting. Can you persuade Kenal0 and Psimet2001 to do the 200k? I'll know more in a couple days to see what my schedule will be in August. If I do this ride I'll do the 200k. Hopefully registration will still be open.
CyLowe97
03-09-07, 07:30 PM
Just going by the updated front page on their site:
"Can it be done? Should it be done?
Over 400 riders came out last year and answered the first question. Yes! It can be done. Thirty two brave souls proved the point on the 300K route!"
Looking at the results page, there were exactly 400 times recorded in all the categories combined (with bikeforums.net's very own recursive clocking in the final 300k time!)
CyLowe97
03-09-07, 07:41 PM
Can you persuade Kenal0 and Psimet2001 to do the 200k? If I do this ride I'll do the 200k. Hopefully registration will still be open.
I'm going to give the 200k a go again this year, for sure. Last year I ended up only doing about 150k (95 miles) because I missed a loop of the ride. If they keep the same route, there is always the option to skip one of the loops if 200k feels out of reach halfway through.
I doubt this one will fill up as quickly as the HHH did, but who knows.
Psimet2001
03-10-07, 08:46 PM
I'm seriously leaning towards the 100k. 200k is ok to do when it's flat. Hilly.....eh.
I wouldn't mind doing the campground thing. Save money over getting a room.
Kimbercop
03-11-07, 09:11 AM
I dont do any rides that mention hills or any other type of pain or punishment.
bmclaughlin807
03-11-07, 09:15 AM
I dont do any rides that mention hills or any other type of pain or punishment.
Wimp. *ducks* Seriously, it's a good thing you don't live near me! :p
Yesterdays ride:
Golden-Lookout Mountain-El Rancho-Evergreen-Red Rocks-Golden:
Total for me: 68 miles, 8108 ft of climbing
Of course, you could always head east, onto the plains, but you still have to come home! :eek: (Though, I suppose you could get around that by DRIVING onto the plains and starting)
Brigadier
03-11-07, 05:27 PM
I want to give this a shot but it happens to conflict with the single greatest beer tasting in the Midwest - the Great Taste of the Midwest in Madison. I'll just have to wait and see if I land a ticket (if you thought the HHH filled up fast, you wouldn't believe how quickly the 3500 or so tickets are sold for this) and play it by ear.
If I do make it, I'll be sure to drink a few beers in remembrance of your suffering :p If not I might be out there suffering with everyone else.
On a related note, I am signed up for the Quadrupedal on May 6th. It covers much of the same roads as the Dairyland Dare and should be a good tuneup for the HHH. Oh, and all proceeds go to benefit the Humane Society.
Psimet2001
03-11-07, 07:09 PM
<snip> Oh, and all proceeds go to benefit the Humane Society. Is that because you're gonna suffer like a dog??
recursive
03-22-07, 05:27 PM
I was the very last finisher of the 300k last year. Nothing like a good 14 hours in the saddle to stretch the legs. I learned my lesson though. Someone else can have my spot. Enjoy the hills.
Kenal0
04-26-07, 08:12 AM
I am going for the 100K. I am signed up, locked and loaded.
Kenal0
Psimet2001
04-26-07, 10:35 AM
Still thinking about it. Nice to know the registration is still open. Me and hills just aren't on good terms, and while we've settled on the joint custody of our horrible son "wind", we just can't stand having all of us in the same place at the same time....
I kind of want to see how I do on the HHH first....I see a Shimano compact in my future....
Kenal0
04-26-07, 04:30 PM
How could you even give a second thought to an opportunity to chase Dave342 uphill all morning????
Kenal0
CyLowe97
04-26-07, 05:07 PM
How could you even give a second thought to an opportunity to chase Dave342 uphill all morning????
you know we'll be watching him sail off into the horizon after about 2 miles....
he and Shider and Signal and aham all need to ride together. bunch of monsters!
jbmadtown
05-02-07, 10:29 AM
I rode the Dairyland Dare last year and it was a great ride, though the last 15 miles seemed to last forever (or maybe that was just me). I've already signed up for more punishment this year at the HHH and the Dairyland Dare. Speaking of- I should be climbing some hills right now.
RacerX99
05-03-07, 06:42 AM
Anyone from the Appleton/NEW area signed up for this one? I am still undecided. Trying to schedule this summer is getting tough. Let me know if anyone is looking to car pool down there. Thanks
sekaijin
05-16-07, 07:32 AM
I'm thinking of doing the 100K. Would be my first long ride event. How was it last year?
Or rather, put yourself in my noob shoes - how would it be for me, am I nuts to consider it?
CyLowe97
05-16-07, 08:11 AM
You've got until August to get your legs right for the 100k challenge. And you're in Madison so should get out to Dodgeville to give some of the route a try.
http://dairylanddare.com/routes.asp
If I recall, the part of the 100k route I rode was a little less challenging than the HHH 100k route, but still had many leg/lungburning hills.
Kenal0
05-16-07, 08:19 AM
You've got until August to get your legs right for the 100k challenge. And you're in Madison so should get out to Dodgeville to give some of the route a try.
http://dairylanddare.com/routes.asp
If I recall, the part of the 100k route I rode was a little less challenging than the HHH 100k route, but still had many leg/lungburning hills.
At least you have a place to train. I will be training on FLAT roads in Illinois so do not fear, I will be suffering right there with you.
Kenal0
recursive
05-16-07, 08:36 AM
I'm thinking of doing the 100K. Would be my first long ride event. How was it last year?
Or rather, put yourself in my noob shoes - how would it be for me, am I nuts to consider it?
Do some riding between now and August. During the event, take it easy and don't try to set any records. If you do these things, you'll be fine.
dave342
05-17-07, 10:03 AM
Registration is still open. There are plenty of spots open. Who is all in right now? And how far are you going? I have not yet signed up. I guess the band is getting back together and I should sign up. Wow recursive 14 hrs in the saddle, 300k! Impressive! No thoughts of coming back for a easy 100k or 200k? Or did you cross this one off your list.
CyLowe97
05-17-07, 10:05 AM
dave, I'm targeting the 200k, but if not feeling it, I'll bail out one of the loops and make it ~150k. That's basically what I did last year. The toughest 94 miles I've ever ridden.
Kenal0
05-17-07, 10:56 AM
Kenal0 is in For 100K. 200 is out of the question. I am sure 100 will give me all I can handle.
sekaijin
05-17-07, 11:25 AM
CyLowe and recursive, thanks for the advice. I need to sort out my August travel schedule but I expect to sign up for the 100K. Will know for sure within a couple weeks - looking at the registration numbers (180/450), I still have time.
My bike is set up as a double with a 38 small ring in front and a 28 cog ... should I go to a triple to get even lower gearing? I have the parts.
What lowest gears do you go down to, for these hills?
recursive
05-17-07, 11:45 AM
I used a 30x25 for the 300k, and was damn glad to have it.
CyLowe97
05-17-07, 11:49 AM
I was on a 50/34 compact with 12/27 rear. I had to walk portions of two hills over the course of the day. I stopped at the crest of several hills just to get my breath back and heartrate down before descending.
It was suffering, but a good suffering. :o
sekaijin
05-17-07, 12:10 PM
I used a 30x25 for the 300k, and was damn glad to have it.
I was on a 50/34 compact with 12/27 rear. I had to walk portions of two hills over the course of the day. I stopped at the crest of several hills just to get my breath back and heartrate down before descending.
That does it, I'll swallow my pride and go triple. 30x25 and 34x27 are both lower than my current lowest, 38x28. I can add on a 34 or even a 28 in front.
sekaijin
05-31-07, 09:38 AM
It's official - I've registered for the Dairyland Dare 100K. Very excited about this - my first organized event of this kind.
I'm one of those retro/vintage guys and my bike is a 1970s lugged steel job. I have a perverse desire to keep it old school and ride the event with my downtube friction shifters, tubulars, toe clips, and no computer. Still (or back) on the fence about sticking with my current gearing (52/38, 14-28) or adding a granny ring in front (which would also require a change of FD).
recursive
05-31-07, 10:41 AM
38x28 might be enough for some. If you're a low-cadence climbing type of guy, or just strong in general, it might work. Borderline though.
aham23
05-31-07, 10:45 AM
^^^^ recursive, i see you used a forerunner 305 for this and the HHH last year. i am wondering what sort of batter back up / charger / extender you went with to keep it with power for so long? thanks. later.
Psimet2001
05-31-07, 11:02 AM
I'm still waiting. I want to see how the HHH goes for me. I'd like to do the 200K, but I'm doing the 100 at the HHH to gauge how I'll be.
recursive
05-31-07, 11:52 AM
^^^^ recursive, i see you used a forerunner 305 for this and the HHH last year. i am wondering what sort of batter back up / charger / extender you went with to keep it with power for so long? thanks. later.
The HHH required no special battery. For the DD, I used this (http://www.socketmobile.com/products/accessories/mobile-power-pack/).
It's a little pricey if you only plan to use it for this ride. I use it for a lot of other applications though, and find it quite a handy device. It recharges any device that charges via USB, and has a large capacity. One negative is that it weighs almost a pound.
Kenal0
05-31-07, 05:07 PM
38x28 might be enough for some. If you're a low-cadence climbing type of guy, or just strong in general, it might work. Borderline though.
Looks like I will be taking the Bike Friday with the 39 x 28 with the 20" wheels, much better for climbing than my 38 x27 on the Flyte.
Kenal0
sekaijin
06-01-07, 10:12 AM
38x28 might be enough for some. If you're a low-cadence climbing type of guy, or just strong in general, it might work. Borderline though.
I am more of a masher than a spinner ... I don't know if my strength is anything exceptional ... but hopefully it helps that I'm fairly light (145 lbs).
In June and July I'll do some hilly rides on the double, and that will help me decide whether to go triple.