Southern California - Do we really need elevation gain to advertise a ride?

I always thought it would be great to know how much climbing there would be on a ride. This way, it would give me a gauge on how tough the ride could be. However, there is another side to this. If you advertise a certain amount of climbing, you may not think you will be capable of completing this.

This was especially true on my last ride, where the century was advertised as 11,000 feet climbing. Now, I have never done any ride that was > 10,000 feet climbing (even after all the doubles I have done). It turned out the ride was 12,000+ feet climbing, and I did not die at the end. I still had enough to do some more climbing.

10,000 feet was what I had in my mind as the barrier to which I could climb. This prohibited me from doing some rides which I could have done, but thought I didn't have the strength, or the stamina to do. Now that I've done 12,000+ feet climbing, it's not all that bad.

I guess my point is, sometimes if you advertise a ride has so much amount of climbing, it discourages some from actually trying something that is within their reach. I'm glad I did it, because in the end, the rewards were out of this world views. I'm still not a fast climber, but as long as you don't time me, I'll be fine.

For me I used it as a gauge for BF/group rides so I don't unnecessarily slow down the group.

On rides where I plan to do it solo, I find it a challenge (assuming I think I can finish before official/daylight cutoffs and don't get lazy). :)

So if you get 400 rides to register for a ride with 12k of climbing and the riders don't know it, the volunteers at the last couple of sag stops just might have to close shop early.

In this case, I wouldn't distinguish any difference between a 10k and 12k event, that's a lot in both cases. Some people may opt of of tough rides they could actually finish, but having the elevation is a good thing.

Not everyone does these rides for the suffering like so many of us here.

Sometimes we announce the elevation gain to DISCOURAGE people from attending... Sometimes, if people do not think that they can finish the event, it is better for them to choose a different ride.

Well, in my case, this was an organized ride, so I did it, only knowing it is an official sag supported ride. I guess my body can handle a lot more than I thought it could ... just not as fast as everyone else.

I wish I could do that. What was your previous best?

I'd like an elevation profile.

I dont like 15k+ climbing for a 30-50mile ride...but thats just me lol.

If its like 100+mi then I dont really care unless its everest challenge or death ride...whatever they advertise isn't bad

Previously, the most elevation gain I did was about 9200 feet at Grand Tour.

I don't like surprises.

Being as I'm not really up to pace with most of the rides here, elevation is going to be really important when I do meet up for a BF ride, being as I'll probably be pushing near my limit for a BF ride. :(

I would rather know what kind of food they are giving out so I know what I'm paying for :)

Well Ron . . .

It's ALL important information to have going in (or deciding not to go in!) to a ride/event.

The total elevation (and profile), the kind of food, the level of SAG support, temperatures expected, miles and milage options, etc. I've never read a ride description with too much information!

Having said that, you should still go to any ride expecting surprises. I've had occasions where rain and fires (not on the same ride!) have dramatically changed the course, plus obviously, the weather.

So, on one hand, the more information I have the better prepared I can be. On the other hand, the more surprises along the way, the better the "adventure."

Sorry Ron, there's just no easy answer to this one!

Best Regs,
Rick / OCRR

Dauphin twisted my arm to do this ride, and I'm glad he did. I really enjoyed this ride (even though, for the most part, I rode it by myself, because everyone was either passing me, or they were way behind me).

BTW, Dauphin, what happened? Woke up late?

The last couple of rides I planned, I advertised how many feet we'd be descending. Seemed to work out okay.

I think I'll bring back the Mountaingate Century; 35,000 feet in 100 miles.

:eek:

I don't really worry about climbing gain unless it goes over 7k feet. Closer to 10 gets me iffy a bit as well.

I can handle 5-7K feet of climbing pretty good at my self pace (8-10mph), anything more I tend not to have anything left in the tank at the end.