Pharmr
08-29-09, 03:52 PM
102 miles...16.4 average...31 max....it was a great ride!!!...and the coolest, temperature wise, in a long time!!...we'll be back next year!!!!
Texas - Hotter Than Hell 2009
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08-29-09, 08:17 PM
A+++++ ride! Perfect temps, perfect wind, no mechanicals. 4:53 @ 20.8. My fastest yet and first sub-5:00. Pacelines rock! Kudos to the directors, sponsors, and especially the volunteers. This is consistently a first-class event.
otisinwf
08-29-09, 11:58 PM
Great time, I just did the 25 with my son. It was the first time to ever ride in anything and he was wowed. Next year 50-100!
hrt4me
08-30-09, 05:55 AM
My Garmin said exactly 102.0 from the starting gate to the ending gate. I averaged 18.2 for that distance with a time of 5 hrs, 35 mins. I did the ride non-stop with 4 gels, 4 Enduralytes and 2 large bottles of Cytomax. I sure was glad to finally get to the end and have some pickle juice, bananas, recovery drink and a massage for my calves, but not bad for my first century!
I was surprised how many bottles (some still in the cages), water pumps and other dropped gear littered the route. I also saw three riders down who looked as if they were hurt pretty badly, but I hope everyone was ok.
Finally, I dined three times at McBride Land & Cattle Co. steakhouse, and the filet with quail, ribeye and burger were delicious as always. I never skip that place when I go to/through Wichita Falls.
I was surprised how many bottles (some still in the cages), water pumps and other dropped gear littered the route. I also saw three riders down who looked as if they were hurt pretty badly, but I hope everyone was ok.
Finally, I dined three times at McBride Land & Cattle Co. steakhouse, and the filet with quail, ribeye and burger were delicious as always. I never skip that place when I go to/through Wichita Falls.
H-Bear
08-30-09, 06:44 AM
What a great ride! 18.6, thanks to some great pace lines, and topped out at 34 mph. The volunteers were fantastic, especially when they came over with pitchers filled with ice water/powerade so we didn't have to wait in line. Saw at least 4 bad wrecks but guess that should be expected with that many riders (anyone know the total?). A large marjority of the riders were courtious; though a lot of slower folks rode in the middle of the road, which made passing difficult. I never pass on the right but was forced to several times due to this..
Speaking of, the only downside was the absence of ride marshalls, which was surprising.
Regardless, A++ ride and will definately do it again next year. Thank you to everyone who organized, volunteered, and participated in the ride. Good times!
Speaking of, the only downside was the absence of ride marshalls, which was surprising.
Regardless, A++ ride and will definately do it again next year. Thank you to everyone who organized, volunteered, and participated in the ride. Good times!
blindvelcro
08-30-09, 08:03 AM
5 hours 45 min, was riding ave of 22.7, but tweaked my knee at mile 64. Limped in the remaining 36 miles, but still averaged 18.3. What a great ride, great weather, great support. A++++++
StephenH
08-30-09, 08:15 AM
"Speaking of, the only downside was the absence of ride marshalls, which was surprising."
Don't guess I've ever heard of a ride marshall...what is that?
Don't guess I've ever heard of a ride marshall...what is that?
clarkgriswold
08-30-09, 08:37 AM
I started back on 4th street - the crowds were pretty bad - this was my first year and next year will start farther up front.
Had to duck walk all 4 blocks to the gate, clipping in just before the bridge.
Even had to unclip twice on the course - Once not long after the first turn off the major street; an ambulance was parked in the left lane ( I assume attending to someone but couldn't see) and another on the 'hill' after the second rest stop. That one people had to completely get off the bike and walk.
I lost count of the water bottles on the course. 1 Tire pump, 1 bottle cage, 1 pair of sunglasses I also saw out there. Lots of downed riders; ambulances running everywhere. I looked around after the ride and saw lots of people with bandages but they all looked ok - I hope everyone made it through.
Still had a good time, was only able to jump into two pacelines as I could never find a groove and I'm still kind of a newbie anyway (started riding in March). Did the 100k, finished at 11:30. Riding throught the air force base is incredible - Crusing past all the planes and the lines of guys cheering you on was very energizing! I wished the century went through there.
Weather was outstanding of course as others mentioned.
will do it next year, the full century, and getting a better spot at the start.
Oh yeah, and a closer hotel. Lawton was better than the other options, but had to get up too early so we could shower, make the drive, find a parking spot, and head out to the start.
Had to duck walk all 4 blocks to the gate, clipping in just before the bridge.
Even had to unclip twice on the course - Once not long after the first turn off the major street; an ambulance was parked in the left lane ( I assume attending to someone but couldn't see) and another on the 'hill' after the second rest stop. That one people had to completely get off the bike and walk.
I lost count of the water bottles on the course. 1 Tire pump, 1 bottle cage, 1 pair of sunglasses I also saw out there. Lots of downed riders; ambulances running everywhere. I looked around after the ride and saw lots of people with bandages but they all looked ok - I hope everyone made it through.
Still had a good time, was only able to jump into two pacelines as I could never find a groove and I'm still kind of a newbie anyway (started riding in March). Did the 100k, finished at 11:30. Riding throught the air force base is incredible - Crusing past all the planes and the lines of guys cheering you on was very energizing! I wished the century went through there.
Weather was outstanding of course as others mentioned.
will do it next year, the full century, and getting a better spot at the start.
Oh yeah, and a closer hotel. Lawton was better than the other options, but had to get up too early so we could shower, make the drive, find a parking spot, and head out to the start.
yeamac
08-30-09, 02:29 PM
Don't guess I've ever heard of a ride marshall...what is that?
A ride marshall is a more experienced cyclist, normally one who has done the ride in previous years, who volunteers to assist other riders with flats, minor mechanicals, etc. They also help to make sure all riders are participating in a safe manner and following the rules. They have them in the MS150. On the MS, they wear a special jersey. I believe they register for the ride just like everyone else as far as paying fees.
Speaking of, this ride has 12K riders, the Houston-Austin MS150 13K, to anyone who has done both, how do the 2 rides compare? Outside of a race at the start, with the accidents, cycling crap littering the roadway, and masses of people, sounds about the same.
A ride marshall is a more experienced cyclist, normally one who has done the ride in previous years, who volunteers to assist other riders with flats, minor mechanicals, etc. They also help to make sure all riders are participating in a safe manner and following the rules. They have them in the MS150. On the MS, they wear a special jersey. I believe they register for the ride just like everyone else as far as paying fees.
Speaking of, this ride has 12K riders, the Houston-Austin MS150 13K, to anyone who has done both, how do the 2 rides compare? Outside of a race at the start, with the accidents, cycling crap littering the roadway, and masses of people, sounds about the same.
dahoss2002
08-30-09, 07:00 PM
Great ride though kinda crowded for the first 40 miles. My chip time was 5:03:48 but I stopped at least 10 - 15 minutes at my only rest stop so I broke the 5 hour mark for ride time. If the temperature wasnt so mild I would have made more than 1 stop for sure. Lots of wrecks in the first 30 miles.
aikigreg
08-30-09, 07:29 PM
I was very sore and tired even before the start. Stood on my feet all week and they hurt before I even got on the bike. Still, with the cool temps I managed to make up for that until the knee twinges kicked in about miles 75 and couldn't really push much after that, so a little poorer finish this year. 4:51 including all stops.
A pic snapped by my friend as I passed:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v652/aikigreg/hhh%202009/thHHH09088.jpg
A pic snapped by my friend as I passed:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v652/aikigreg/hhh%202009/thHHH09088.jpg
H-Bear
08-30-09, 08:29 PM
http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/ss141/barrysms150ride/HHH/IMG_0357.jpg
http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/ss141/barrysms150ride/HHH/IMG_0358.jpg
http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/ss141/barrysms150ride/HHH/IMG_0360.jpg
http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/ss141/barrysms150ride/HHH/IMG_0379.jpg
http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/ss141/barrysms150ride/HHH/IMG_0408.jpg
More -> here (http://s570.photobucket.com/albums/ss141/barrysms150ride/HHH/)
http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/ss141/barrysms150ride/HHH/IMG_0358.jpg
http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/ss141/barrysms150ride/HHH/IMG_0360.jpg
http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/ss141/barrysms150ride/HHH/IMG_0379.jpg
http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/ss141/barrysms150ride/HHH/IMG_0408.jpg
More -> here (http://s570.photobucket.com/albums/ss141/barrysms150ride/HHH/)
evanp
08-30-09, 09:02 PM
Great pics ^^.
My computer registered 102 miles, as well. I assumed it was just a little off. 20.4 mph average. Pretty psyched, as my target pace was 17 mph and my longest ride to date was only 63 miles :)
My computer registered 102 miles, as well. I assumed it was just a little off. 20.4 mph average. Pretty psyched, as my target pace was 17 mph and my longest ride to date was only 63 miles :)
bjtesch
08-30-09, 09:19 PM
OK, I'm older and have less training time, so only 100k for me. 5 hours total time this year, but at least I finished without any major difficulties.
Random ramblings:
This is and has always been a great ride, and I only have 3 bad things to say about it... 3 worst things about the HHH:
3rd worst: having to get up at 5 am or earlier to get to the starting line.
2nd worst: lining up at the starting line an hour early and waiting an hour until the start.
THE worst: walking your bike the 2 blocks to the starting line before it thins out enough to clip-in and ride
Everything else about the ride is great.
The route has changed over the years and I've done all of the 100mile and 100k routes. It's no fun to crank 90 miles and then finish the last 10 miles in a headwind. Even the 100k route usually turns south into the wind at about 50 miles, but this year when it turned south there was TAILWIND.
The lines of cheering airforce personnel at SAFB are awesome, but I fell like I should be cheering them.
I pulled into the 50 mile stop and a kid handed me a yellow-green snowcone. I figured it was lemon-lime powerade, but it turned out to be a pickle-juice snowcone. I bit weird but OK under the circumstances.
I usually avoid the water showers but this year decided to try them, and they're great. At the 50 mile stop they had misters and a light shower. A couple of miles from the finish line a kid in his front yard had a water hose so I swerved over to the lefthand side of the road and got a good spray. And then past the finish line they had a pretty good firehose going. A few people were dancing in it but I figured that would be a bit TOO much water. I got on my bike and pedalled through it and that was about right.
A few years ago they had a smoothie vendor at the finish line. I really like a good smoothie, but none to be found this year so I got a grande beer from the beer tent. It still wasn't hot outside and there was a nice breeze and plenty of shade trees around. I was really tempted to get another beer and go sit in the shade and breeze under one of those trees for an hour but my family was waiting for me to get back and have lunch with them. Remember, beer is CARBS after all.
Thanks for the photos H-Bear. One time I bought a disposable film camera and carried it with me on the ride. I've recently thought about carrying a small digital with me but haven't done it. Without photos it's hard to explain to non-riders what it's really like out there on the course.
The newspaper this morning said 14,200 riders, and kept mentioning "a record", but I'm pretty sure they were at around 16k riders maybe 15 years ago.
Random ramblings:
This is and has always been a great ride, and I only have 3 bad things to say about it... 3 worst things about the HHH:
3rd worst: having to get up at 5 am or earlier to get to the starting line.
2nd worst: lining up at the starting line an hour early and waiting an hour until the start.
THE worst: walking your bike the 2 blocks to the starting line before it thins out enough to clip-in and ride
Everything else about the ride is great.
The route has changed over the years and I've done all of the 100mile and 100k routes. It's no fun to crank 90 miles and then finish the last 10 miles in a headwind. Even the 100k route usually turns south into the wind at about 50 miles, but this year when it turned south there was TAILWIND.
The lines of cheering airforce personnel at SAFB are awesome, but I fell like I should be cheering them.
I pulled into the 50 mile stop and a kid handed me a yellow-green snowcone. I figured it was lemon-lime powerade, but it turned out to be a pickle-juice snowcone. I bit weird but OK under the circumstances.
I usually avoid the water showers but this year decided to try them, and they're great. At the 50 mile stop they had misters and a light shower. A couple of miles from the finish line a kid in his front yard had a water hose so I swerved over to the lefthand side of the road and got a good spray. And then past the finish line they had a pretty good firehose going. A few people were dancing in it but I figured that would be a bit TOO much water. I got on my bike and pedalled through it and that was about right.
A few years ago they had a smoothie vendor at the finish line. I really like a good smoothie, but none to be found this year so I got a grande beer from the beer tent. It still wasn't hot outside and there was a nice breeze and plenty of shade trees around. I was really tempted to get another beer and go sit in the shade and breeze under one of those trees for an hour but my family was waiting for me to get back and have lunch with them. Remember, beer is CARBS after all.
Thanks for the photos H-Bear. One time I bought a disposable film camera and carried it with me on the ride. I've recently thought about carrying a small digital with me but haven't done it. Without photos it's hard to explain to non-riders what it's really like out there on the course.
The newspaper this morning said 14,200 riders, and kept mentioning "a record", but I'm pretty sure they were at around 16k riders maybe 15 years ago.
RIF
08-30-09, 09:34 PM
Saw at least 4 bad wrecks but guess that should be expected with that many riders (anyone know the total?).
Read the Wichita Falls paper on Sunday morning and it mentioned 14,200 riders in this years’ event.
Rode the 100k with my wife this year at a leisurely pace. We averaged 17mph, not bad for her first ride over 50 miles and the amount of times we had to slow down for the bike traffic. We also had to stop after the turn off the main road for an ambulance to pull away. We notice a total of 6 riders down this year, most were waiting for an emergency treatment and it really reminded me of how cautious you need to be with this many people.
The start of the ride was worse this year, too many accidents, a lot of road debris, disorganized pace lines, and spent more time walking the bike than past years. The route through the AFB is pretty cool, it added a little something extra to the ride. Will return next year.
Read the Wichita Falls paper on Sunday morning and it mentioned 14,200 riders in this years’ event.
Rode the 100k with my wife this year at a leisurely pace. We averaged 17mph, not bad for her first ride over 50 miles and the amount of times we had to slow down for the bike traffic. We also had to stop after the turn off the main road for an ambulance to pull away. We notice a total of 6 riders down this year, most were waiting for an emergency treatment and it really reminded me of how cautious you need to be with this many people.
The start of the ride was worse this year, too many accidents, a lot of road debris, disorganized pace lines, and spent more time walking the bike than past years. The route through the AFB is pretty cool, it added a little something extra to the ride. Will return next year.
yeamac
08-30-09, 09:59 PM
http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/ss141/barrysms150ride/HHH/IMG_0408.jpg
Didn't know they did drug testing on this ride. :p
Didn't know they did drug testing on this ride. :p
StephenH
08-30-09, 10:33 PM
I think in the past, some of the numbers I've seen were total participation in all the rides...so racers, mountain bike race on Sunday or whenever it was, plus the normal ride, with maybe the runners thrown in, too.
dahoss2002
08-31-09, 12:19 AM
Didn't know they did drug testing on this ride. :p
Wow!! That looks like that tight turn a couple miles from the finish where I ran off the road and into the white rocks and almost lost it. Was able to keep upright and lucky no flat but damn I wish i knew they were "testing" at that stop. I woulda came in slow and did the "test"
Wow!! That looks like that tight turn a couple miles from the finish where I ran off the road and into the white rocks and almost lost it. Was able to keep upright and lucky no flat but damn I wish i knew they were "testing" at that stop. I woulda came in slow and did the "test"
slowpace
08-31-09, 03:48 AM
The start was slower this year, but as we moved up, we saw the crowd splitting around a truck and trailer. It seems they were slow in getting it moved. After that we were clipped in and moving. It had to be a record year for downed water bottles. My new pet peeve, commercial type bottles of water in a bottle cage. I think someone said last year after the ride,"let's pave the entire route with chip-n-seal" and so they did. It was a jarring ride. It was a good ride as always, I just need something to gripe about.
Anyone see three riders down as you were coming out of the airbase? I was the third one down in that small pile. Two riders touched wheels trying to miss the rubber road humps and went down in front of me. I had no choice but to follow them. One guy got up and hauled butt, but the girl involved was bleeding from a cut on her nose and seemed to have a hand injury. I hope she is ok. Thanks to the riders who stopped to help. Thanks also the the Military personel for the medical help. Got back on the bike after a few and finished the ride. Thought I was ok, just sore until I got up Sunday morning and couldn't put any weight on my left leg. Xray showed nothing broken, but I have to schedule with a orthopedic Dr. for and MRI.
Hey, 18 HHH's with no mishaps till this year, I'm still ahead of the curve, lol. We'll be back next year.
Anyone see three riders down as you were coming out of the airbase? I was the third one down in that small pile. Two riders touched wheels trying to miss the rubber road humps and went down in front of me. I had no choice but to follow them. One guy got up and hauled butt, but the girl involved was bleeding from a cut on her nose and seemed to have a hand injury. I hope she is ok. Thanks to the riders who stopped to help. Thanks also the the Military personel for the medical help. Got back on the bike after a few and finished the ride. Thought I was ok, just sore until I got up Sunday morning and couldn't put any weight on my left leg. Xray showed nothing broken, but I have to schedule with a orthopedic Dr. for and MRI.
Hey, 18 HHH's with no mishaps till this year, I'm still ahead of the curve, lol. We'll be back next year.
crdean1
08-31-09, 06:41 AM
Great ride. 100 mile, 4:55, 20.3 pace. Beat time from last year. Perhaps the coolest thing about this year is that my brother in law, who bought his first bike 4 months ago, finished with a 6:10 ride time, and came in only two hours after us. Got to ride with him across the finish line. In 4 months, he has trained his a$! off and lost 30 pounds in the process.
Cliff, great to see you. How'd it go?
Cliff, great to see you. How'd it go?
Bigwil91
08-31-09, 09:46 AM
I've been riding about 6-8 wks now and finished in 6hrs 22 min. Not sure how good that was till i saw some of these sub 5hr times, wow. I hope to do better next yr. I also wrecked bad at the 10 mile mark. My own freind was talking to me and accidentally turned into my bike. I lost control, flipped over with bike on top of me and landed pretty hard. Hip and wrist took most of it but I was determined to finish.
I saw a couple of people down early and knew to be very cautious the rest of the ride. Great feeling of accomplisment. Next yr I will have a road bike and experience to do it better. Thanks everyone who spoke to me and gave me tips.
I saw a couple of people down early and knew to be very cautious the rest of the ride. Great feeling of accomplisment. Next yr I will have a road bike and experience to do it better. Thanks everyone who spoke to me and gave me tips.
Sushi Boy
08-31-09, 11:48 AM
Great ride, it was my first century, so I was really happy with my 16.9 mph pace. It felt great to make it through Hell's Gate with plenty of time to spare. Can't wait for next year!
H-Bear
08-31-09, 12:40 PM
Didn't know they did drug testing on this ride. :p
No one had a chance to test it. I chugged that sucker faster than you could say, "Holy crap, they're serving beer on this ride?!?"
:D
No one had a chance to test it. I chugged that sucker faster than you could say, "Holy crap, they're serving beer on this ride?!?"
:D
JokerRN
08-31-09, 02:53 PM
Agree with all above...a great ride on a great day.
Finished the 100 mile in 5:08 with 19.6mph avg. I rode up a mile or so past the start and dropped in after the racers went by to avoid the crowds. Very quick, easy start.
This was my first century ever and thank God it was flat (I'm a clyde). Anyone else think this has to be the flattest 100 mile stretch of land in the world?
Waiting for my new bike to be delivered Thursday, so this ride was a fitting send off for my Look kg381i that I'll be retiring this week.
Finished the 100 mile in 5:08 with 19.6mph avg. I rode up a mile or so past the start and dropped in after the racers went by to avoid the crowds. Very quick, easy start.
This was my first century ever and thank God it was flat (I'm a clyde). Anyone else think this has to be the flattest 100 mile stretch of land in the world?
Waiting for my new bike to be delivered Thursday, so this ride was a fitting send off for my Look kg381i that I'll be retiring this week.
c_m_shooter
08-31-09, 04:06 PM
Cliff, great to see you. How'd it go?
I got to the beer stop at 1:30, and about the time I was ready to leave the other group that you saw me run up to talk to was pulling in. They were running pretty fast when I let them go in the beginning, but they stopped at more rest stops and I passed them somewhere along the way. I figured I'd have a couple more beers and finish with them. It was a good easy ride.
I got to the beer stop at 1:30, and about the time I was ready to leave the other group that you saw me run up to talk to was pulling in. They were running pretty fast when I let them go in the beginning, but they stopped at more rest stops and I passed them somewhere along the way. I figured I'd have a couple more beers and finish with them. It was a good easy ride.
Trek760
08-31-09, 05:15 PM
This was my first century ever and thank God it was flat (I'm a clyde). Anyone else think this has to be the flattest 100 mile stretch of land in the world?
Nah... I used to live there... go to Eastern Maryland and then you get flat.
Nah... I used to live there... go to Eastern Maryland and then you get flat.
hrt4me
08-31-09, 05:30 PM
Nah... I used to live there... go to Eastern Maryland and then you get flat.
I'm doing the Seagull Century the second week of October and hoping for mild weather, no rain and minimal headwinds.
I'm doing the Seagull Century the second week of October and hoping for mild weather, no rain and minimal headwinds.
StephenH
08-31-09, 07:20 PM
For flat, go to the coast. I'm not sure about organized centuries, though. There is a Katy Flatlands Century, but I haven't ridden it. There is a Bike Around The Bay coming up, but it's like 150 miles over two days, not just a century. There was previously a ride there in Galveston, but I don't think they've had it since the hurricane. There is a ride or two down in the Corpus Christi and Kingsville areas, I believe, though they may just be metric centuries.
bjtesch
08-31-09, 08:18 PM
Anyone else think this has to be the flattest 100 mile stretch of land in the world
I grew up there. It is mostly flat but not completely flat. I've been to other places that I thought were a lot flatter.
It can also be windy up there, and HOT.
I grew up there. It is mostly flat but not completely flat. I've been to other places that I thought were a lot flatter.
It can also be windy up there, and HOT.
bjtesch
08-31-09, 08:30 PM
Bigwil91: I've been riding about 6-8 wks now and finished in 6hrs 22 min. Not sure how good that was till i saw some of these sub 5hr times
Hey Bigwil, that's a good time. Even more impressive if you've only been riding for 8 wks. Most people starting at zero would take more training than that to do a century. Remember that in the old days a century was a goal that you trained for during the summer, and that you should be able to finish in 12 hours. In the south 12 hours would be too much time to spend out in the heat, but you get the idea.
Yeah the big dogs can beat 5 hours, but I wager that not all of them can do it. I've done the HHH a lot of times and I've done 2 or 3 times right at 5 hours, but the first time I did it I did 7:45, and that is after training for it for about 5 months. If I trained hard now and did the century I think I would be happy with 6:22. You also have to ask what that time includes. When I give a time for myself it is from start line to finish line and includes all stops. If I'm interested in doing a good time then I don't spend much time at stops. Some people stop/start their cyclocomputer so their times include only the pedaling time, others use total time.
Not that you shouldn't always try to train and do better, but be proud of 6:22 for your first time.
Hey Bigwil, that's a good time. Even more impressive if you've only been riding for 8 wks. Most people starting at zero would take more training than that to do a century. Remember that in the old days a century was a goal that you trained for during the summer, and that you should be able to finish in 12 hours. In the south 12 hours would be too much time to spend out in the heat, but you get the idea.
Yeah the big dogs can beat 5 hours, but I wager that not all of them can do it. I've done the HHH a lot of times and I've done 2 or 3 times right at 5 hours, but the first time I did it I did 7:45, and that is after training for it for about 5 months. If I trained hard now and did the century I think I would be happy with 6:22. You also have to ask what that time includes. When I give a time for myself it is from start line to finish line and includes all stops. If I'm interested in doing a good time then I don't spend much time at stops. Some people stop/start their cyclocomputer so their times include only the pedaling time, others use total time.
Not that you shouldn't always try to train and do better, but be proud of 6:22 for your first time.
OneArmedScissor
09-03-09, 03:14 PM
I'm actually a little bummed out. I started in the Hell's Gate hopefuls section not realizing I would be considered a "fast" rider. I've seen the racers out at the crits and I don't think I'm anywhere near being able to hold 27 mph for more than a few minutes, however I ended up being stuck behind riders doing 12-15 mph (which I guess isn't a bad thing if that's your speed, I just didn't realize that people did centuries going that fast. It sounds like my butt would be really sore after 100 mi at that speed!)
I did a lot of starting and stopping and saw many recreational riders taking up all 4 lanes of the road. It was hard to pass them, but once we managed to get to the front we were able to maintain our 19-20 mph pace through the century and finish in under 6 hours.
I think next year I'll start closer to the front or participate in the race. This year was a big confidence booster to how much faster I've become over the last year!
I did a lot of starting and stopping and saw many recreational riders taking up all 4 lanes of the road. It was hard to pass them, but once we managed to get to the front we were able to maintain our 19-20 mph pace through the century and finish in under 6 hours.
I think next year I'll start closer to the front or participate in the race. This year was a big confidence booster to how much faster I've become over the last year!
StephenH
09-03-09, 08:01 PM
I interpreted "Hell's Gate Hopefuls" to mean "Maybe I'll make it by 12:30, maybe I won't". I think Hell's Gate was right at 60 miles, and allowing 30 minutes to get moving from that point, you have 5 hours to go 60 miles = 12 mph average, including stops. And yes, there are people doing centuries that slow. :)