Horse Farm Hundred - Hilly?

[Bob Pringle]

I'm curious as to how much elevation change there is in the Gainesville (FL) Horse Farm Hundred. I'd like to adjust my gearing to suit the course.

[vpiuva]

You're in Florida. Isn't the highest elevation something like 320ft? I think a corncob/single speed/fixie would be appropriate. :)

[mollusk]

I've ridden the route many times. Usually I never get out of the big chainring.

[kensuf]

I'm curious as to how much elevation change there is in the Gainesville (FL) Horse Farm Hundred. I'd like to adjust my gearing to suit the course.

I think you'll see about 2-3k worth of elevation change over the entire course. I think almost all of it is on Dungarvin road.

It's really not bad and it's well supported. I'm heading out in 5 minutes to ride over to the santa fe start, and will be doing the hfh tomorrow too.

[Bob Pringle]

Thanks for the responses, folks. Looks like my 38-48 and 13-27 will be fine.

Vpuiva, come on down for the Horrible Hundred in Clermont, FL, some time. Florida ain't ALL flat! ;=)

Regards,
Bob P.

[kensuf]

Thanks for the responses, folks. Looks like my 38-48 and 13-27 will be fine.

Vpuiva, come on down for the Horrible Hundred in Clermont, FL, some time. Florida ain't ALL flat! ;=)

Regards,
Bob P.

Oh yeah, if anything you might spin out the 48/13 on a few of the descents.

[mollusk]

I hope you had a good ride, Bob.

[Bob Pringle]

Thanks, Mollusk. I completed the ride; that's about all I can say. It seemed as though the last 25 mile segment was entirely uphill. I didn't realize that Gainesville was built on the peak of a mountain!

The Gainesville Cycling Club did a very good job of organizing and executing the ride. Markings were excellent and the aid stations were well-stocked and well-staffed. Approximately 700 riders started the ride, although a good number were doing a 55-mile alternate ride. And the rain held off until everyone had finished.

Regards,
Bob P.

[mollusk]

It seemed as though the last 25 mile segment was entirely uphill. I didn't realize that Gainesville was built on the peak of a mountain!

There was a wee bit of headwind on the last exposed bit later in the day. I finished about 2:00 when the wind was still out of the east for the most part so I missed it. It then turned out of the northeast just after that to give a headwind on Angle Road (the road between Micanopy and the very last pit stop when you get on the rail trail - The FL DOT calls it Alachua Country Road 234). That could have made it feel like a long, gradual climb.

My favorite stretch of pavement on the route is Germantown Road. It isn't called that on the road signage anymore (it is now some soul-less direction and number), but it is comes up not too far after the lunch stop and was a right hand turn to the east. There is a short, but screaming downhill to a "fading to the right" hand turn that throws you across I-75 toward the end of it.

[Bob Pringle]

I remember that downhill; I hit 31 mph coasting down that one! I had vowed to myself that I wouldn't exceed 16 mph during the first 50 miles to assure that I'd average at least 15 mph for the ride. As luck would have it, though, I got entangled with a group from Jax who were riding at 18 to 20 mph. After the first stop I got back to my planned average and at the 74 mile mark I was still averaging 15.5 mph. It all went UPhill after that! Final average - 14.9 mph. Next year I'm doing the Santa Fe ride!

[kensuf]

I remember that downhill; I hit 31 mph coasting down that one! I had vowed to myself that I wouldn't exceed 16 mph during the first 50 miles to assure that I'd average at least 15 mph for the ride. As luck would have it, though, I got entangled with a group from Jax who were riding at 18 to 20 mph. After the first stop I got back to my planned average and at the 74 mile mark I was still averaging 15.5 mph. It all went UPhill after that! Final average - 14.9 mph. Next year I'm doing the Santa Fe ride!

The Santa Fe ride is also a little hilly, but not as hilly as the HFH. However there are a few steep hills that are comparable to the ones on the horse farm course.

The worst thing about the Santa Fe is the wind -- it seems every time I'm up around Traxler there's really brutal wind. This year we had a strong wind in our faces for the first 50 miles, but then when we turned south from Watermelon Park it was in our favor. To give you an idea, our average for the first 50 miles was just a hair under 22mph, by the time we got back to the boys club we were up to 23.6.

BTW, next year you should do both!

[ubernier]

To give you an idea, our average for the first 50 miles was just a hair under 22mph, by the time we got back to the boys club we were up to 23.6.


That was because Ken was doing pulls, sometimes at 30+ mph :) There were times that I looked down while cruising and we were at 27 mph. Shortly after that, the lead group pulled away and I dropped back to a more manageable pace for me.

Anyway, the numbers that I have from my Garmin:

Santa Fe 1993/1958 ft Max Spd 37.4

Horse Farm 2634/2654 ft Max Spd 35.2

[kensuf]

That was because Ken was doing pulls, sometimes at 30+ mph :) There were times that I looked down while cruising and we were at 27 mph. Shortly after that, the lead group pulled away and I dropped back to a more manageable pace for me.

Anyway, the numbers that I have from my Garmin:

Santa Fe 1993/1958 ft Max Spd 37.4

Horse Farm 2634/2654 ft Max Spd 35.2

2634? Wow, I was pretty good at the 2-3k guess above! :)

Now how about the horrible hundred?

[ubernier]

I would Ken, I would. I will be down in Melbourne for my B-Day (and to ride on Tropical Trail for exercise). Not as hilly, but plenty of speed humps.

I should be heading out of work today early so I can do 22 miles or so out Milhopper. Haven't had a chance to ride since Sunday thanks to the weather. Love the cool air we had this morning and the sunshine we have now.

[mollusk]

That was because Ken was doing pulls, sometimes at 30+ mph :)

:beer:

Way to go, Ken. Make them SUFFER if they want to suck your wheel.:D