Skipper

I just finished registering for the 100k. This will be my first DD. What have I done?

aham23

^^^^ you have signed up for too short a distance....... i mean you got all summer to prep.

later.

cyclpsycho

True. You will love it and want more.

SmokinMiles

No, you will actually be miserable and wonder "why the heck am I doing this?" and register again thinking "why the heck am I doing this?"

Skipper

At 56 years old and 210 lbs., I think I signed up for just the right distance. I prefer to set challenging but attainable goals for myself. If it hurts good enough, I'll sign up for a longer ride next year. Or not.

Thanks for the encouragement.

cyclpsycho

Think of this Smokin'

The 300K distance has been completed 65 times.
In 2006 by 33 Men
In 2007 by 14 Men
In 2008 by 18 Men
Will 2009 be the year for the first Female 300K?

sschilli

Don't sweat your decision. You can always go longer if you are feeling spunky at the 56 mile point. That's where the 100K and 200K routes split. Or at the 100K mark you can add another 33K by taking the black loop from Harris Park.

My best advice to you (other than training for hills) is to study the map so that you know generally what to expect and where the routes split.
https://www.dairylanddare.com/files/CueSheet2008.pdf
https://www.dairylanddare.com/file/Map2008.pdf

There is a hill profile at the bottom of the Cue Sheet.
Notice that the 100K route follows the blue route all the way to the Pleasant Ridge Stop.
Then it switches to red and returns to Harris Park (where your started).

The hill profile tells you that you will have 9 significant hills on the 100K route:
Rosy Lane
Dugway Road
County T
(rest stop in Barneveld)
Roberts Rd
Amacher Hollow Rd
High Point Rd
(Rest stop at Tower Hill State Park)
Hillside School Rd
Weaver Rd
(Rest Stop at Pleasant Ridge)
County Z

Just knowing what's ahead of you helps a ton mentally.

SmokinMiles

Could I possibly seem bad*** enough by just registering to ride the 300k

zerocool33

I'm going to be buying my first road bike in about a month, and I was wondering if this race is decent for someone's first century style ride? I am way out of shape and really fat (6' 290lbs), but I am doing this to better myself, and to do a century ride will be a milestone for me. Much like marathons are for most people. It seems like this event is really organized, and people have a lot of good things to say about it. I feel like this gives me enough time to drop some more weight and get in shape. What do you guys think?

sekaijin

^^ Hi zerocool, welcome to road biking!

The DLD is a great ride, but not an ordinary century style ride - it's very demanding, as hilly as they come. The 100K is probably harder than a typical 100 mile ride, because of all the hills.

May, June, July ... you'll have 3 1/2 months to prepare. Go for it if you really want to push yourself. If you ride a lot and get some good hill training in before 8/15, this ride would make a good ambitious goal to aim for. But be warned, it will be a "sufferfest!"

You'll want your bike to have good super-low gearing for steep hills: on the front, a compact or triple crankset. On the rear, as large a large cog as possible - at least 26 teeth, preferably more. For that size rear cluster, you'll probably need a long-cage rear derailleur.

CyLowe97

If your goal is to ride a century this year, a great ride would be another one in August: The Cream City Cycle Century. Waterford's a bit of a drive from Sheboygan, but it's an outstanding ride.

Not trying to scare you off the Dare here. If you ride hills, and lots of them at that, then the 100k Dairyland Dare is a great ride and achievement for anyone just getting back into cycling fitness.

sschilli

Dodgeville is about twice as far as Waterford (from Sheboygan). But that's not the point. I've done the Cream City Century a few times and, yes, it's a good flat to rolling 100 miles. Any 100 mile ride is a great goal to strive for. I'd put both rides on your calendar. Also, think about the Scenic Shore 150 - Mequon to Door County and consider the Door County Century. The Angel Ride for Autism will be in September this year (out of Spring Green). And never forget about the Wright Stuff Century on Labor Day weekend.

BTW: Full Disclosure. I'm 5'10" and I weighed in at 218 this morning. The DLD scares me. MAN am I out of shape.

dobovedo

I gotta wait one more year to do that 300k. Can't do it this year, but in 2010 I'm headin' northwest. Gotta see what all the fuss is about.

Scummer

Oh yeah... it's hilly. That's for sure.