Superdex, sorry I didn't acost you and say hello.


I passed on the spaghetti dinner. Any culinary opinions?

Nasty, actually :)

Is anyone else a little disappointed that Marathon Foto's preview pictures are so small? I can tell it's me in the pictures, but I can't see if I have a goofy expression on my face or a booger hanging out of my nose. I hate to pass on ordering, but I think I will. Bummer.

Well, in spite of the flack I got about having aerobars, I hardly had to use them. There were pace lines to the very end!! Finished the 100 mile with a 17.6 ave, first 80 miles with 18.1. These ARE rolling times, clock time taking out the 20 minute delay at the start, was 6hr 30 min. BTW I am 63 years old, and this was my FIRST century.

This in my opinion was the BEST big event I have ever been to, and I have done some big ones. Everything was first class. I cramped at mile 94, stopped at last rest stop at 94?, girl asks what I need, tell her pickle juice. She runs and gets it, I am still on the bike. I drink and run, problem fixed. Drank two beers at the beer stop, what a blast.

This was my first century, but I WAS trained for it. I am going back for another dose of fun next year!!

First I must say it was nice to meet up with you guys at the start. It's nice to put faces with the names.

Now for the ride report. It was a crowded start for sure but we managed a good pace picking our way through the crowds. We skipped the first rest stop and planned to catch the second one. I must have misunderstood where we were to meet up to get going again. I looked around but no one was in sight. I headed out on my own at an unknown pace because of a now dead battery in my wheel sensor. I tend to ride most of these rides as a personal time trial and try to limit drafting so I just tried to bridge gaps between groups and then move on to the next.

I stopped briefly at the 3rd rest stop to use the portapotty. I was still feeling good at my next stop at the 5th rest stop. I had to stop at the 6th stop just before Hell's Gate to refill a bottle to replace the nastiest stuff that I had picked up at the previous stop. It was supposed to be Powerade I think but it just was nasty. I skipped the next one and stopped at rest stop 8 briefly to fill up the bottles again and drink some pickle juice. I moved on but the pace was definatley slowing now. The first twinges of soon to come cramps were just now being felt.

I pulled in to the rest stop with just 10 miles to go and decided to lay down for a few minutes to see if I could stretch out the legs a bit for the final few miles. I must have dozed off a bit. When I woke up the people around me were not the same people I remembered being there when I layed down. The people now looked a little more ragged and tired than the group before had. I asked someone what time it was and they said around 2:15. Woh! I know it was some time before 1:00 that I pulled in. It was quite a nap. So much for sleeping the previous night in the car. Back on the bike and feeling a little tired but at least the cramps were not showing up at the moment. I grabbed a cold towel passing the last rest stop and continued on. Over the overpass at a steady but slowing pace and down the hill through the finish. I saw the clock turn over to 8:00:00 as I approached the line. My slowest century to date. Maybe next year I will get a room and a good nights sleep.

Superdex, sorry I didn't acost you and say hello.

I passed on the spaghetti dinner. Any culinary opinions?

Since this was my first HH100 I ate the spaghetti dinner. I wanted to experience it all. By the time the Criterian and Mtb Races were over I didn't get there until 8:00pm. They were out of bread and I only got one glass of tea before they ran out. The spaghetti was wet (pool of water in my plate) but then spaghetti is kinda like pizza; really hard to screw up too badly. I'm glad I ate there to say been there done that, but next year I'll probably make my own at the campsite.

We ate the dinner around 6:30 and everything seemed fine, it was very hot. Certainly worth the price, just eat earlier. We thought it was tasty.

Anyone know how much the Marathon Foto's are? Just checked and they have a few good ones of me. Did not expect it because I had my bib number on my back.

They haven't posted prices yet on mine, but I browsed some other pictures and they were mostly $10-15.

Guys,

My opinion is that the staged start made things MUCH better than in years past. Having done this ride several times, I am ready for the moving roadblocks at the beginning and just am VERY careful about what's going on around me. It helps if you have a couple of wingmen with you who ride with you regularly. We can anticipate one another and give room to get in. Solo guys probably don't have that going for them.

Anyway, five of us were in the middle of the gate keepers and were up to speed early and cruised through the road furniture without much trouble. Like Cuda, two of the guys were only doing the 100K but are veterans and know their pace and know the ropes.

Next year without the daughter, I might try to crack 5 hours for the full 100 miles by getting in some big pace lines early.

Anyway, this was a great ride fo me and my friends. Again, Cuda, thanks for finding us and saying hi.

Tyson

Superdex, sorry I didn't acost you and say hello.

What kind of tires were you guys running that had flats? I had some GP4000s with 670 miles (front) and 1670 miles (rear) on them with no problems but I heard a couple tires blow in the middle of packs moving at a good clip. No wrecks behind me as far as I could tell.

I passed on the spaghetti dinner. Any culinary opinions?

I run Hutchinson Top Speeds, and they're really bullet proof, except when your rear tire has a hole in it from a previous piece of glass/rock/somethingerother. I've been taking chances with it for a few hundred miles before the event, and got bit twice on the ride. Oops. --After the second flat I put a tire patch on the inside. Yes I ordered new tires tonight....

okay, some pictures ...

at the start. Sea of Humanity
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1196/1253649267_67abe1c63d.jpg

at the 2nd rest stop, a GMC Danali. No sht, Chet, no sht.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1409/1253652307_bcddf3d024.jpg

The view for most of the day. Mind numbing.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1330/1254515564_5e5b111faa.jpg

Which is why you bring your own music
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1333/1254514872_7dc7c1bdb6.jpg

Where else do you get pickles next to the oranges and bananas?
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1201/1254516850_56b2d253d0.jpg

Made it with time to spare
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1324/1253656981_cf072e7ce2.jpg

Beer. Good.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1269/1254520168_0a07e4c203.jpg

the timing results are up

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/7011/hhhzy2.jpg

about the flats, I don't have hard evidence but I get the feeling that during the first 10 miles
or so, most of the flats that I've seen are on old, poorly maintained bikes. Thats not to say that
poor maintenance is the only reason, but I suspect that a lot of these guys are out doing their
first real ride of the year.
I can't count the number of riders I've passed that had either no spare, no pump or both. These
are not the kinds of folks who are out riding regularly.
I also think a good portion of these riders are on their first HHH, have no experience with the chip n seal (more like good sized rocks stuck in tar) and surely don't know about road riding. How many riders did you see on the far right, hugging the curb and riding over all of the road debris (read broken bottles).
thats my opinion anyhow.
the Spaghetti Dinner at camp Chaparell is much better that at the MEC, it's all you can eat and
they serve breakfast in the morning of the ride!

marty

Is anyone else a little disappointed that Marathon Foto's preview pictures are so small? I can tell it's me in the pictures, but I can't see if I have a goofy expression on my face or a booger hanging out of my nose. I hate to pass on ordering, but I think I will. Bummer.
EDIT: After reading further, I see that the proofs must be online now. I did this back in the 80's

Get a loop or a magnifying glass and look at it carefully. I worked for a race photo company in college, both as a photographer and in the back end, mailing out those tiny pics. Spent lots of time with a loop indentifying numbes to match to names on a list provided by the race director.

I can't see any photos...it asks for my name and bib number, but then takes me to a "be notified by email" page. What am I not doing right?

They haven't ID'd you yet in any pictures. Did you wear your bib in the front?

They haven't ID'd you yet in any pictures. Did you wear your bib in the front?

No...but neither did camaro:

Anyone know how much the Marathon Foto's are? Just checked and they have a few good ones of me. Did not expect it because I had my bib number on my back.

I would venture to guess that the people who wore their bib somewhere other than the front will get ID'd later, because it will be harder.

I have six pictures up already, the guy who rode with me and didn't have his bib in the front has none. And we were practically side by side, or wheel to wheel the entire ride.

I called Marathon about the proof size last year. They will email you the pictures in a larger size if you ask.

Laura
long long long time reader

They haven't ID'd you yet in any pictures. Did you wear your bib in the front?

damn, I didn't even think to do that. I wonder if there'll be an unidentified section you can flip through.

There is and there is thousands of pictures. You can enter some search factors, like helmet and jersey color.

53186

My first century, what a great ride. I hope next year I can get there early enough to meet some of you guys. I only planned on stopping once, at the 60. I had some cramping issues at about 82 miles and limped to the 90ish mile rest stop to refill water. I rode the next few miles pretty easy but finshed the last 5 mile strong. The Garmin gave me a 5:01:17 for ride time and 20.3 M.P.H. avg. Chip time of 5:10:13 and 19.3 M.P.H. avg. I could not be happier with that.

Til next time.

There is and there is thousands of pictures. You can enter some search factors, like helmet and jersey color.

Dean,

I am totally missing this search feature, can you provide a link?

Thanks.

Try this.



http://www.marathonfoto.com/mf_clothingid.cfm?OID=28542007M1&CustomerNumber=E91739&BFI=rn418d4z0m&Language=en&DTS=MjAwNzA4MjgyMDA3MzI=&Currency=USD

Looks like they only got 3 of me. Tried to search for more, because I know they got some, but no luck finding any. Think Ill probably order a couple. Im still pissed that I forgot my camera that morning.

This was my first successful century. I was doing great until I hit the 70 mile rest stop.

It was there that I had 3 slices of pizza... I've never had a problem with eating on a long bike ride before but this time was different. For the next couple of hours, my stomach decided that i shouldn't go faster than 7 or 8 mph. I was riding with my 17 year old cousin who I had to convince to leave me behind because I really thought I was going to sag in at that point.
I had to stop and lay down for a few minutes at every rest stop until about the last 3 when I started to return to normal. Ended up finishing in just over 9:30 (8:15 on bike) but I'm not complaining since I did actually finish! :)

We did feel sorry for the photographers. So my cousin and I took off our camelbacks and showed our bib numbers for the camera at one point!:D Thats the one and only picture they got of me that day!

They found one of me, pretty decent picture too so I'll probably order a couple like I did last year. I tried to do their search but it seems to lose the search criteria after the first page. :mad: No friggin way I'm going to search through a couple hundred pages looking for my exhausted overheated face in that crowd.

btw: bluechip - we did stop on the other end of the 2nd rest stop than I had originally stated before we started off. Fred and Scott had pulled off already when I showed up and decided with the mass of people that trying to get moved else where only to stop again wasn't the best idea. Sorry we lost you dude.

Oh, and I seriously :lol:'ed at the hour + long nap. ;)

Also just found the search feature. Try 'answering' fewer of the descriptors. Even doing that, I only found 2 and I know I hammed it up for more than that.

a foto my friend took:

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g73/flyinglazboy/HHH%202007/104_5512-1.jpg

Well, before I started writing about my ride I had to go check out my pictures because I am kind of vain that way. I too was worried about my number being on my back and picture being identified. I should not have worried. I have have lots of pictures up!! OF MY BUTT!!!! I am hoping there are more to come and I realize that I should have thought of this when they did not give us the helmet and bike tags this year....but wow....I was just not expecting all of my pictures to be of my rear end. I am from Lubbock and Texas Tech and so I gave the guns up hand sign to one of the photo-guys....maybe he was an Aggie or a Longhorn and this was my payback. Sigh. I think my recap will have to wait until I can pick my dignity up off the floor.

Renee, that's funny. Most of the ones I have are the same. What is it with these guys. I didn't even have a number on my back. I like to think it was because I was going so fast, you know, so they didn't have time. But I'm pretty sure that's not the case, ha.

You could still post your ride report without pics.:)

the search 'functionality' on marathonfoto SUCKS. That is all.

(in other words, after going through page after page and search after search I'm convinced they didn't take any pictures of me, despite almost running them over every time I saw one)

After searching through 144 pages of guys at the finish line, I found a picture of me. Don't think I'll be doing much more searching.

Who came up with the idea of a single bib number? The multi-number set-up I saw earlier this year would have been much mo' betta. The small sticker that goes on the front of the helmet would sure make this whole process easier.

Ok, I am over my depression over seeing countless photos of my backside. Again, in spandex. (shudders) I had a FANTASTIC ride despite a somewhat shaky start! I ended up getting a late start leaving Lubbock so I did not get to meet everyone for dinner, but I did I have a great night sleep camping and waking up on site is always a nice thing. I think one of the funniest things was stepping out of my tent and looking at a pile of blankets that someone had tossed up on the hill....wait....that is a person....sleeping on the ground....spooning his bike. I wish I had taken a picture. I think he woke up and headed off to the starting line about 5 minutes before the race started.

Well, even though I slept ok, as soon as I woke up, I was completely nauseous and thought I might actually die. I managed to get everything ready but in between getting dressed and getting my bike ready, I would just lay on my cot and pray from my tummy to stop rolling. After popping numerous drugs, I decided that I had driven too far not to at least try to ride, so about two minutes before the ride started I hopped on and took off for the start. I decided that if I did not feel better I would just do the 25 mile....or the 10K if it was really bad!! Surely I would not be the first person to throw up off the side of my bike!?!

It was a slow start, but apparently all of the pepto and tums kicked in and I had a great ride. I ended up riding the 50 mile just because I felt like I should not push my luck. I am still kicking myself for not getting to do my full ride, however it is always better to be safe than sorry. I ended up have a very enjoyable and quick ride. This was my first ride on my own with out a buddy and I have to say it is almost more entertaining going by myself because I got to listen in to lots of interesting conversations!

The best part of the ride for me was the air force base. A huge wow to all of those men and women out there cheering for us when we should be getting off of our bikes and cheering for them. It almost made the finish line seem like a let down....until I almost got to run over the idiot who ran out in front of me right in front of the finish line. Seriously....let the bike people have our one day and stay out of our way!!

So, the weather was great, the ride was great, and I just can't wait until next year! We can't sign up until January??? :(

I have read many great things about the ride that went through Sheppard. I am sorry the long course missed that experience.

Flew in to Oklahoma City, got the rental car, no problems. Even managed to find a music store (wasn't sure the car would have a CD player).

Sure didn't expect toll roads. We don't have those around Phoenix. And your gas prices are up a couple dimes.

Registration was a blast! I'm used to a big trade show, but this seemed more compact, somehow. Got the course loaded on the GPS, bought a couple of BottleSox to keep the water bottle cool, checked it all out. Got dinner at Rae's Rib Shack. Was warmly greeted! I know places here where a white man might not be so welcome - not there, it was real nice, food was great, I was glad I went.

LOVED the ride. Seemed nice and cool - until I stopped, and that humidity came down like a blanket. Needed a couple bottles of ice water and 20 mins downtime at mile 80, and speed was suffering in the last 30.

Stopped for a free beer at mile 98, and cruised in with a couple of dudes who had been there for 2 hours. Yeah, there was a bit of swerving going on! But it was a good time.

I also enjoyed the hell out of Killdares (the band). Bought the CD and am still loving it. They're playing Tucson in November, I'm already making plans to be there. They're a Dallas band, you know, it shouldn't be too hard for you DFW riders to find 'em!

Stopped off in Medicine mountains on the way north, hung out in the woods for awhile, that was refreshing. Nice country up there. Stopped in to the OK City Memorial. Touching, real touching.

I think the low part of the ride was all the trash the riders threw on the road. Or on the ground at rest areas. Or next to the trash cans. Hell, a gal at the finish-line actually thanked me for throwing my beer cup in the trash! What a bunch of serious slobs. Their mammas must be proud of them. One of these years we're going to hear "we quit handing out wet paper towels because of the litter problems down the road." Just wait, or do what you can about it.

The high points of the ride have already been addressed - the fun pacelines, the seriously good rest stops, wet paper towels, music out on the course, the excellent registration, the great finish party, and basically the whole town! Two or three times someone would say "enjoy the ride, come back next year" and I'd have to wonder, how did they know I was a rider? Maybe I said something about "back home" or maybe they were checkin' out the cyclist legs, but it sure was nice of 'em

Oh the wet towels are such a blessing and it is so awful to see them thrown on the side of the road!! I can understand if someone has one on the back of their neck and they forget about it, but there is no excuse for the amount of litter that I saw. The volunteers work too hard for us already to have to pick up trash too! Thanks for bringing that up!

I agree the wet towels were very nice and that I could see them going away if people aren't carefull with them. On a side note. I am thinking of going into the used Polar bottle business. I can't believe how many of them I saw on the road. I guess a lot of people who use the behind the seat bottle holders use them and had no idea they lost them. At $5 a pop I think I could make some money.

I agree the wet towels were very nice and that I could see them going away if people aren't carefull with them. On a side note. I am thinking of going into the used Polar bottle business. I can't believe how many of them I saw on the road. I guess a lot of people who use the behind the seat bottle holders use them and had no idea they lost them. At $5 a pop I think I could make some money.

x2 I told my friend Im wearing a big back pack next year and scooping them up.

Hotel room in Wichita Falls Texas for two nights: $222.34
Gas for my oversized SUV: $180.00
Random Cycling Supplies: $200.00
Registration fee for the Hotter ‘N Hell: $25

Spending 4 ½ days looking through 37,817 1 ½ inch by 1 inch photos trying to find visual proof for others that you road in the worlds greatest ride, yet only find one photo of yourself: PRICELESS!!!!!!!!!!

I stayed in a church for free :)

Have they gone back to a two night minimum at the hotels? About 7 years ago they went to a three night minimum and we (probably among others) revolted and refused to stay there.

We stayed at a host home that couldn't have been nicer. $50 per night each.

Hotel room in Wichita Falls Texas for two nights: $222.34
Gas for my oversized SUV: $180.00
Random Cycling Supplies: $200.00
Registration fee for the Hotter ‘N Hell: $25

Spending 4 ½ days looking through 37,817 1 ½ inch by 1 inch photos trying to find visual proof for others that you road in the worlds greatest ride, yet only find one photo of yourself: PRICELESS!!!!!!!!!!


LMFAO, I got lucky and found my Finish line picture after like 5 pages.. Then looked through 200 more pages and found nothing, I was not to happy.

I'm confused, I know I posted a ride report the day after the ride ... but it's not here. Oh well here it is again:

Stayed at the Chaparel Baptist Camp, lotecMarty were you there too? Sleep was a little fitful in a room with 13 other pba guys, but the food was great.

Started with the pba contingent. Went out a little faster than I planned. Hung on Tom's wheel till before the 20 mile rest stop when I noticed my heart rate was much to high for a century so I sat up to wait for a better group. Just after that rest stop 3 pba'ers caught up with a group of Carrollton cycle riders so I hopped on with them. Nice easy pace from there to our first stop at 32 miles in Electra. Saw many others there.

Left with same pba group. We kept a really quick pace to the 54 mile stop. We were working well taking turns pulling and jumping on as some groups came by. Came up on the only bad crash I saw just before the stop. Long stop, hit the bathroom and filled up and chatted with a friend I knew from Austin.

Stayed with same group. Again kept a good pace with everyone doing some pulls. The headwind along the access road to Hells Gate was a warning though. Through Hells gate about 10:15. Took a quick stop at the 69 mile stop for a water bottle then on to the 78 mile stop. Again saw lots of pba'ers at 78 under the trees.

Took off with the same crew again. When we turned into the wind at 80 miles the work started. I hadn't been looking at my avg all day just keeping the mileage display and riding to my heart rate. I checked for the first time as we turned into the wind and was at 19.7. Held on pretty good but my left hamstring started cramping and I fell a little off the back before the 92 mile stop.

Again the pba gang was all there. Cold water and towels over the head was rejuvenating! The group was getting ready to leave when I realized I hadn't refilled my water. I should have just left it with 10 miles to go, but was in that mode to fill it up. By the time I waited in line the group had taken off so I was on my own for the final 10 miles.

I felt relatively good, tired but still able to ride at a good constant pace into the wind. 2 small groups passed me but going much faster so I didn't jump on. Meanwhile I was passing lots of people who were out of gas. Several jumped on my wheel but none of them really hung on even though I was only going about 18 but into the wind was hard work. (and whats up with the wind ... I noticed about 3 pm it had totally died and even swung to the North!@! the story of my riding life lol) All those pba rides and M&M centuries paid off. Finished about 1:15ish with a 19.3 ride average.

Oh, one memorable moment was coming up over the final overpass. I was pretty much alone and there were a couple of guys 50 or 60 yards in front. I just went to the small ring and spun up it at a comfortable heart rate, but I guess one of the guys in front of me went too hard. Just yards from the very peak he pulled over just in front of me and leaned over his handlebars and started puking. I went by and asked if he was OK but he was in mid gag. Luckily there were a couple of cop cars sitting just back from there so I figured they could assist him if needed.

Also, after the finish I had gotten a drink and walked back over about 50 yards after the finish line, just before where they were handing out the finish pins and you turned left. This guy slowed and just toppled over to the side. It was like he passed out cause he didn't try and unclip or even reach out with his hands to break his fall. Some people unclipped his shoes from the pedals and laid him out on the side walk (in the sun, his back was probably sizzling!) He came to and was sipping some water. He eventually crawled over under a shade tent and was getting water. I was surprised no medical personnel were in the area and didn't show till maybe 10 min later.

Overall a very good ride. Far exceeded my speed expectations and felt as good as I've ever felt at the end of a century. I spent a lot of time at rest stops (over an hour) and could have cut some time off there, especially the early ones. But the later ones allowed me to recover and keep the speed up. The guys that rode it with 1 or 2 stops really have my admiration ... not to mention the 2 or 3 I know who did it non stop!! :eek: Overall heart rate was 150, right what I hoped for.

Cuda, sorry I missed the bf crew. Also didn't hear from Kevin McDade, know he's been working a lot so I hope he made it after all his prep. It was really cool riding with the pba guys ... there were probably 50+ of them up there. It seemed like I saw bunches of them at every stop I made and all over out on the road.

I had my bib on my front and had 8 pics that I easily found at marathon using the homepage Name/Bib # search.....only one that I liked, and I think I'll buy a couple and frame one with my bib and pin(my first century).

I didn't even know this forum was here until aikigreg mentioned it. Lots of good Texas stuff here, I guess I need to make it a regular stop. I posted my HHH report (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=337351) in the 50+ forum.