slash621

So... Since August I've been training for the horrible hundred. The first few months went great till the start of October. I destroyed my drivetrain and decided to do the overhaul myself. Good news is I swapped my cassette, chainrings, chain, headset, bottom bracket, and tuned everything afterwords all myself.

The bad news is it took me a month. I feel a LOT weaker than I did at the start of october. My old 10mi TT average was about 22-23mph and now its around 18-19. I was off the bike for almost 4 weeks for these repairs and some other work items that took me out of the state. Since my weekly mileage has been around 80-100 at best, with some 40 milers on the weekend and 1 20 miler during the week.

Now im scared I wont be able to finish the 100. Part of me says that I can just gut it out with a steady slow pace (15mph on the flat type effort) and just crawl myself along taking good rest stops and eating right. I also am praying there are other people in similar condition at the event.

I'm young but a big guy, and haven't done these sort of hills before. I've been "hotlapping" the 17th street causeway but its only ~80-100ft or so (guess). In my youth I was a swimmer and did many centuries and I'd like to feel I have a fighting spirit that can overcome these difficulties. But the other part of me is worried I'm in over my head.

So does anyone know if there are HH-100 groups that just ride it casually just to finish? Like people that would normally do their saturday rides ~15mph? If not, maybe I should consider doing the 70 or 35.

Let me know Bike Forums..

unterhausen

this. I was sick all spring, didn't ride much and still finished a 400k ride that had a 50% completion rate. Suffering is not all it's cracked up to be

StephenH

I speak from general Charity Ride experience, not from any knowledge of that particular ride.

I once rode my Worksman front-loading cargo tricycle on a charity ride. I did the 16 miles route, took 2 hours, and actually passed people on the way. I did not realize you could ride 8 mph and pass people, but you can.

I rode the Hotter'n'Hell 100 twice on my Worksman cruiser. It took me 9 or 10 hours, but there were still LOTS of people behind me, too, so yes, there are some slower folks out there. And you can get 9 hours into the ride, and here comes a paceline around you; I haven't figured that one out yet. Are they going around twice, or did they get lost? I don't know, but you get enough people out riding, and you've got all speeds out there.

I rode the Beauty and the Beast 100k on my Worksman cruiser. It is a hilly route. My legs got pretty rubbery. I think it took me 5-1/2 hours. And if I'm not mistaken, I was actually the very last person off of that course. But I still made it in before the course officially "closed" and they didn't try to rush me or anything, and they still had cookies and drinks and all at all the rest stops as I went through.

In your specific case, first off, I would check and see if there are different route lengths available. On most of our local rides, they have multiple length options, and those shorter routes branch off at various points. So you can wait till you get to the branch-off point before you decide. And the organizers don't care, they'd probably rather have you switch routes than to have to haul you back in.

Secondly, I'd check if there is a specific time when the course "closes". If they expect everyone to be done with a 100 miles in 6 hours, that's one thing. If they give you 12 hours, that's a little more helpful. And if they don't say, it's more likely the latter. Don't be afraid to bring a headlight, reflective vest and that kind of stuff.

Thirdly, I'm finding that nutrition helps me, and I've been trying to keep a steady diet of Perpetuum going on longer rides, plus all the other snacks I can snarf along the way.

You always have to ride at a speed you can maintain, and it doesn't matter how fast other people might be going. So if you're riding 15 mph, and a lot of other people are going 20, don't let that worry you. And don't try to hang with 'em and wear yourself out in the first 20 miles either.

Bacciagalupe

Get a backup bike. It doesn't have to be ridiculously expensive, it just has to fit and be reliable.

Or, buy a pair of running shoes. Although it isn't a perfect replacement, if you were running during some of that time you would have lost less fitness.


I think you're about to find out. Check your ego at the door while you're at it.

I.e. yes, there are plenty of people who do not do 4-hour centuries.

slash621

Certainly that is the plan to have a backup bike. Right now it just isnt an option. I got myself and my wife into the sport of cycling for around $500 by being a scrouge. Unfortunately I just cant afford the second bike yet. However, when I can, I plan to get a single speed as a runabout, backup trainer and leg strength development bike.

I did swim a lot and kept generally active, but my leg strength is what feels down, nothing seems to do the job quite like cycling.

I've decided to just go for it! I only live once and I calculated that if I want to be at the last rest stop before it closes I'll have to average a measly 11.16 MPH. I can do that!

My plan is as follows.

Stop at every rest stop for no longer than 5 minutes.... Get solid food, fill bottles, stretch legs and loosen my cleats.
Exceptions: 1: First stop: If I feel great, and have adequate water, keep going till the 40mile stop. 2: If I have found a comfortable group , skip the first stop if they do.

Im going to start the event at a "usual" light practice pace for me, about 17mph in the flat, and keep HR under 160 (my max is 205). Find a group that gets close to this, but no faster. Now I can draft and save energy, and still do 17-18 for the effort of 12-14.

Stand up every 3-5 minutes and while climbing (i practice climbing always seated). Take gels every 45 minutes. Drink and drink some more. Apply sunscreen at stops. Take 2 Advil Liquigels if stiffness doesnt go away at rest stops (cyclist doctor tip).

DO NOT, do a fake king of the mountain... Stay with the groups..

I think if I follow most of this fairly loosely, I should preserve myself fine, get in the right group, and make it home.

Backup Plan! Take iphone in plastic baggie. Use it to direct route back to start if emergency occurs or call a cab/friend for a lift. Take credit card and cash, another option is a small town motel (call race organizers to let them know im stopping and duck out).

I know this is kind of a rant, but I just wanted to spill it out there so ya'll could see what I was thinking. I'll check back in sunday evening and let you know how it went!

Bacciagalupe

Keep in mind that if it's an organized century, they probably have a Broom Wagon that picks up riders who have serious issues on the ride (mechanical, injury etc) and will pick you up if the ride is too much for you.

Avanti73

there will be over 1500 riders, I would bet you won't be the last to finish

slash621

Just wanted to give an update! I FINISHED IT! 7:08.35 It was fantastic. Certainly some parts sucked, but I did just fine once I found a few people around mile 45 that were my same "pace". I definitely went out strong, but I made the decision to stay under 20mph on the flats and use the draft/paceline as long as my HR was under 160. If they were pushing me over that, I just let them go.

I made it up all the hills without walking as well. I did stop on the first hill, sugarloaf, and hospital for about 10-15 seconds because my back was starting to spasm (thats where I get my pains, not my legs). I didnt want to go down so I just pulled over and dropped a foot for a lil bit, then I would turn parallel to the hill and "re mount", turning upwards after I had a little momentum.

Next year I'll be a lot lighter, and i'll have my "century special" cassette installed for that nice 30 tooth instead of my current biggest gear (23 tooth).

I loved it, I'm definitely doing more! I checked off a lot of boxes in my life that day..

First Metric Century
First Imperial Century
First time over 50mph on a bike (maybe the last time too)
First time over Sugarloaf


Thanks for all the encouragement guys, between this thread and some thoughts about a cycling friend who lost his battle to cancer, I had the guts to do this. I'm going under 6:30 next year.

CbadRider

Congratulations on finishing!

First time over 50 mph?!

That must have been some downhill.

erichkopp

Congrats, dude! Those central Florida hills are just as mean as anywhere else in the country. The first time I climbed Sugarloaf was also one of the first hot days of spring, and I threw up the whole way up it. Going from a 23 to a 30 will make a HUGE difference, I'd definitely recommend gearing a bit lower.

slash621

It was the last major downhill off of hospital hill. I knew there were only a couple of miles to go so I just decided to max out at the the top of the hill.. So i ran out of gear around 36mph near the top and got in a tuck....

Lets just say a 245lbs guy in a pretty good aero position really flies down a hill. I was 15mph over the speed limit! Im not sure ill do it again, but it was great!

Mordecai

Central Florida hills as mean as anywhere else in the country? I don't think so.

To the OP, congrats on your ride. Glad you had a good time.

-M

daveF

They are pretty good though, some are as steep or steeper than anything at Six Gap. However, not nearly as steep as Brasstown. I've seen a multiple RAAM winner get dropped on those hills, several times.

Congratulations Slash!

kjc9640

Unless you live in central FL and train on these hills they can be as tough as any. When you live on the coast and overpasses are the highest thing you climb central Fl can give you all that you want. Congratulation on finishing..