spingineer

Got to the registration at around 6 am. Saw benriding, silentben, and rycore there, but Dauphin was nowhere to be found. Dauphin was the one who begged and pleaded me to do this ride. I did text Dauphin last night, but didn't hear from him today ... hope everything is ok.

What we didn't realize was at 6 am, it is still pitch black ... So I guess we'll wait till 6:30 am before we start rolling. None of us had lights.

So we started rolling at 6:30 am. It was a bit nippy still at 6:30 am, so it is definitely arm warmer weather (leg warmers, debateable ... I left mine in my car).

After the first couple of miles, I can tell benriding, silentben, and rycore are in a league above my head. It turns out benriding went ahead and did the 126 miler (which, after talking to him at the end of the ride, became a 136 miler). With this in mind, I figured it best I ride alone, instead of killing myself, and/or having them wait for me.

Right off the bat, leaving Auburn we had continuous rollies. Was this what we were going to have all day? Well, that's mostly true. That is until we got to the Iowa Hill time trial. I didn't specifically have myself timed, because I know I'd be taking my sweet time. By the time I reached the beginning of the Iowa Hill climb, I saw rycore. He had some mechanical difficulties, as his spoke broke on his descent to the start of the hill climb. He waited around for SAG with a spoke wrench. I went on ahead on the hill climb.

That was one tough hill climb. I ended up stopping twice (ok, once to take pictures). My body was screaming at me ... a few times, I could see my computer register 16% grade. The web site advertised an average of 13% ... it was really tough. What was nice was having a couple of girls cheering us on at the finish of the time trial. Hey, anything for motivation.

However, even after the Iowa Hill time trial was over, there was still an abundance of climbs awaiting us. The hills after the time trial made the climb even more treacherous.

My favorite part of the ride was after the China Wall rest stop, and the climb to Robinson Flat. It was a long climb, about 10 miles where the real climbing started. I think the peak was somewhere around 6500 feet, and boy, was it a view. Pictures don't do this view justice. The views were just breathtaking. I wonder how the views from Eastern Sierra would compare to this?

Now, the fun part ... coming down from the mountain. However, it was not all downhill ... there were some rolling uphill portions, which made the descent a little more challenging.

At this point, we had already done 11,000 feet of climbing, and we sure didn't want to do any more 20% grade climbs. The route had us going around town, and going up ... you guessed it .. 20% grade climb. However, a local suggested to go straight on Foresthill Road, and continue all the way into Auburn. A few of us ended up doing that, and there were no issues there.

In retrospect, all I can say is this ride was beautiful, and breathtaking. Don't let the 11,000 feet climb scare you. Remember, no pain, no gain. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants a challenge, with breathtaking views. After doing this ride, it actually felt more like a double century. It didn't draw the crowds that Lighthouse or Wildflower does. There were definitely a smaller number of riders, but that's a good thing. It had the feel of a double. By the time I got back, my body felt like it went through a double century. Probably due to all the climbing.

I was fully anticipating to SAG in, as I wasn't sure I can do 11,000 feet climbing. I guess my body is too stubborn to quit.

Ok, stats:

Distance: 111 miles
Altitude Climb: 12,378 feet
Total Riding Time: 10:04:55

I do have pictures. I have them at https://web.mac.com/ronng/iWeb/bikefo...20Century.html

PrincessZippy

Wow! Sounds like an awesome ride. It's been on my to do list, but I'm not doing any paid rides right now. You asked about the Eastern Sierras - there are a few photos in my Eastern Sierra Double write up on our website. My husband was a SAG driver that day so he didn't take quite as many as usual.

https://www.tandemhearts.com/wordpress/es20007/#more-42

Veronica

rydaddy

Good job Ron! I'm sorry we couldn't all stick together, but major climb rides like this make that a pretty difficult task.

Here is my stab at a ride report (though I am not much of a writer).

Like spin said, it was pretty cold and dark at the start. All I had was arm warmers and the typical summer clothing. I had to keep the pedals spinning fast to keep myself warm. The first 20 or so miles were pretty mellow. A gradual climb into Colfax were the first main rest stop was. Benriding and myself met back up with silentben, where benriding was trying to sway us to do the longer, more brutal "Lone Ranger." After coming very close to giving in, silentben and myself decided to stick to the script and do the regular 106 mile "outlaw."

From this rest stop there was a very steep decent into a valley, where at the bottom, Iowa Hill begins. I was on the brakes the whole time, and it wasn't really fun being so cold and conservative (the switchbacks were almost 180 degrees). Right at the bottom something terrible happened - a rear spoke sheared off at the hub and my wheel was extremely out of true (almost tacoed). My ride appeared to end before it really started. Silentben took off and I waited about 30 minutes for a sag to come (I had to carry my bike to the time trial desk!)

Sag showed up and fortunately had a spoke wrench for me to use. I performed a field truing, just enough for my rims not to rub the opened up brakes. It would have to do so I started on my Iowa Hill climb. As I reached the stop everything was ok so far. I continued on through the next 2 rest stops where finally a mechanic could check over the wheel. Everything looked ok to him so I had some extra confidence that I might finish the ride.

Like spingineer said, the ride from China Wall to Robinson Flat was where the true climbing came. It was never ending. Chalk markings on the road would suggest I was getting close only to find out I was far from it. There was one misleading message that read "Ezy Street" with an arrow pointing ahead. To the ride organizers: I think that was the hardest section, thank you very much. After finally making it to the top I had a feeling of relief - and yes, the views were absolutely breathtaking. I knew the climbing was not completely over but the bulk of it was. I refueld and headed down the mountains - decending was not the funnest condering I only had a front brake.

The last 40 miles went pretty well. The miles were racking up fast. I was all alone into a slight headwind but the gradual slope was enough for me to maintain 23-25mph. The final rest stop I almost skipped but thankfully I didn't. What I was about to discover was there is one more vicious climb for good measure. Luckily it was only 20% for about 1/4 mile max. Coming into Auburn was the greatest feeling. I actually felt pretty good physically (thanks to the electrolyte pills and vitamin I).

I logged a total of 111 miles in 7:52. I am lucky to have even finished this one. It was probably the most awesome ride I have ever done. Awesome views, good support, and enough climbing to brag to my co-workers for a few months at least.

Sorry for 'jacking' your thread Ron - it seems there may be a couple more reports coming so this makes a good place to read them all. I do have some pics I will try to post later. It's a football Sunday so I need to get ready for some quality couch time!

BenRidin

Brutal ride! I think this was tougher than the Death Ride.

Spingineer just happen to park next to me, so I did not have far to look. How lucky was that? Rydaddy set the pace as we left Auburn. I was telling myself, it's going to be a long day...don't kill your self.

The climb up to Colfax is mellow and beautiful. In another month, fall folliage will be out making it even more outstanding. I couldn't talk anyone to join me in the 126 mile, so I set off and joined a small group of four. We blasted up to the cute town of Dutch Creek, where the rest stop was in front of the Dutch Creek Hotel B&B. They Tiramaso out, but it sounded too sweet at 9:00.

Back to Colfax for a short refill of HEED and off to Iowa hill. I think the best description of Iowa hill would be to take the final section of Mt. Diablo, increase the grade by 2 or 3%, and increase the distance by 1.5 miles. Ouch. The winning time was just over 14 minutes. I think my time was barely under 30!

The next rest stop I was due for vitamin I. Lot's of streaching and I was into the China Camp rest. I saw Silent Ben there and he gave me a description of what to expect. It was this point I was thinking, what the heck, if I turn around now, I would still get in over 100. On my left shoulder was the devil saying turn around, on my right was the angel say don't you dare, go for it and have fun.

I should have listened to the devil. But up I went, and up and up. I would round a corner and you can see where the road would be a mile further and 1000 feet higher!

Eventually, I made it to the final stop. I am closer to Norden (25 miles) than I am to Auburn (44 miles). There a "Yellow Jackets" all around. The rest stop crew are great people, in fact all the rest stops had great support. It's about 3:30, and I know it's going to be a beotch going back, so I say good by and descend.

Descending is no easy feat. By now the shawdos on the road are getting deep and I really have to pay attention. I blow by the other two rest stops and make like a horse going to the barn. Straight into a head wind, going down hill hurts. Who would have thunk?

Finally at the end of the last hill at the stop light, going into Auburn another rider catches me. We race together back to the parling lot. I change, get up to where the food is and there is nothing left. It took me over 12 hours to do all this and there is no food left cept for some chips and salad.

I see Ron and some others. We chat and tell stories of our day. I then make my way back home for some real food.

Great day!

BR

spingineer

Brutal is right ... but all in all, I was tremendously happy after finishing this ride. I was really happy that I was able to finish the ride (I've never done any rides > 10,000 feet climbing). I only did this knowing that there would be SAG, and if needed, I wouldn't hesitate to get a lift back to the start ... but luckily, I didn't have to resort to that. I always thought that 10,000 feet climbing was some unobtainable barrier for me. Well, I dispelled that notion.

BTW, what was the total elevation gain on the 126 miler (which ended up to be 135 miler?)

SesameCrunch

Sounds like a tough ride ! Congrats on finishing.

I did a >10,000 ride (once). It will probably be my last one .

dauphin

Ron,
Due to some personal problems, I was unable to make it to the ride on Saturday. Perhaps I can meet up with you guys at another ride in the future.

silentben

Okay I'm just getting back to a computer for the first time since this weekend's ride.


I somehow managed to find my way to Recreation Park in the dark and without any printed directions or a map. The parking area was not lit and I could barely see enough to tell which parking spots were occupied or not! After meeting up with BenRidin, Spingineer, and Rydaddy, we headed out and I was wishing that we could do Iowa Hill immediately so I could work up some body heat.

After the ride I learned that some other event had taken over downtown Auburn and so they detoured us cyclists through some residential streets. BenRidin was leading the way and seemed to know the route and I was happy to follow through the maze. It didn't take long to get out of town. I gradually fell behind BenRidin and Rydaddy and lost sight of them. The first rest stop was only 8 miles into the ride and so I skipped it and headed directly to Colfax. As others stated, this was a nice gentle climb but what they didn't mention was the occasional pocket of *cold* air. Ambient temps were probably in the mid 50s but every once in a while I would plunge into finger-freezing sections that were probably ten degrees cooler. Overall I was climbing though and not too cold with my arm warmers.

At the Colfax stop I took off my arm warmers. My logic was that there was a short descent and then the beginning of Iowa Hill for which I surely didn't want them on. It seemed to make sense to remove a layer while I was already stopped rather than have to stop an additional time at the bottom of the hill. BAD choice. The Colfax rest stop was in the sun but Iowa Hill road going down to the river was completely shady and with 30mph of wind it was frigid.

I was right behind Rydaddy when he broke his spoke. I heard it brake and saw his back wheel wobbling like crazy and knew right away what had happened. Luckily were were almost all the way down the hill and he was able to stop safely. Props to him for finishing the ride down one spoke in the back!

I hadn't planned to participate in the time trial but I couldn't pass it up since they were offering "at the starting line" registration. They wrote down my name and starting time on a slip of paper and gave it to me to hand to the folks at the top of the hill. They sent me off when the designated start time came and I went to clip in and ride only to discover I was still in my big chain ring from the descent! I downshifted and the chain fell off! I was able to nudge it back on just using the derailleur but then I realized I was *also* in just about my highest cog on the back! I was struggling to downshift and also avoid a trio of hikers who were crossing the road directly in front of me. It sucked. But eventually I got down to my lowest gear where I would grind it out for the next 1.75 miles.

Iowa Hill started out not all that steep. At first I deluded myself into thinking it wouldn't be all that bad. Had I been following logic I would have realized that since the average grade was 13.5% and the grade I was riding on was more like 9-10% that things would get very miserable. I was out of the saddle nearly the whole way up. I passed one guy shooting video and another person taking still photos, can't wait to see the results if they get posted online anywhere. Anyway my unofficial time up the hill was 19:01 according to my garmin 305.

The Sugar Pine rest stop came up a lot faster than expected. The cutest thing I saw here was one boy about 7 years old teaching another boy of about 4 years old how to perform the duty of water bottle filler. "When the riders get to that line *points* you walk up to them and ask if they need a refill. Then you ask if they want water or HEED". It was priceless

When I got back on the road I started feeling pain in my chest when I would inhale deeply. It was rather worrisome and something I'd never felt while cycling before. I thought it might be caused by the higher altitude and the thought of climbing all the way up to Robinson Flat was not sounding like a good one. I actually seriously considered cutting the ride short to the 80 mile route rather than abuse my body. I made it to the China Flat rest stop which was the turn back point for the shorter route. Thanks to the volunteer named Yi who got me some Advil from her car and also took a photo of me with my bike. I had a can of Redbull from one of the Redbull babes and I was feeling a lot better and decided to do the full 106 miles.

The final climb was absolutely amazing. Smooth one lane road, sweeping panoramic views, no cars. I imagined myself to be riding through French mountain passes I had never ridden above around 3500 feet before and it was spectacular to be so high. It seemed that every time I glanced down at my gps I had added another 100 feet. Granted the climb was tough and I was not going fast but the scenery made it entirely enjoyable. When I got to the top I had only completed 60 miles on the day but with 9000 of the 11000 feet of climbing done, I practically felt like I was finished

The descent from Robinson Flat was a lot of fun. I stopped at the China Flat rest stop again and this time had a piece of delicious peach pie. Continuing back down Foresthill Road I had a headwind that almost negated the slight decline. I powered along in the low 20 mph range, riding in the drops with my head down but generally feeling pretty strong. It felt like I was making good time but eventually I got passed by a 5 rider paceline that was flying. I managed to grab on and hang with them but only for about a mile because that's when we got to the final rest stop.

After this rest stop, the route turned on Yankee Jim road which I understand was a new addition to the course. To whoever made this change, you are a genius! It was a nice break from the monotony of Foresthill Road. Yankee Jim road is narrow, curvy, and has trees on each side and there was no wind at all. It goes downhill and even though it's not steep, I was easily doing 30mph. It almost seemed too good to be true and I was glancing at my gps and realizing that I had still only climbed 9800 feet on the day.

The route turned left on Spring Garden road and pretty quickly turned into a brutally steep uphill. It was like Iowa Hill all over again except a complete surprise. I was cursing the hill, especially as my chain fell off again while shifting to my low chain ring. But thankfully it was a short climb, probably less than 1/4 mile.

Spring Garden reconnected with Foresthill and, after a seemingly unending series of rollers, took us over the Foresthill Bridge and back into Auburn. I managed to find my way back through the maze even though I completely lost track of the chalk arrows on the ground towards the end.

Time moving: about 7:52 hours
Total time: 9:00 hours
Distance: 108 miles

A great ride, I would highly recommend it and I might try the longer course next year.

qpliu

See you at the Santa Cruz Mountains Challenge next August?

spingineer

Sure, I could do the climb ... I'm just not fast up the hill.

qpliu

That shouldn't be a problem. While all the flyers say the course closes at 5pm, this year there were plenty who rolled in after that, and the SAG drivers were still on the course. That last rider in, a former coworker of mine, finished a little after 6pm.

hammern_frank

Thank you for the report. Congratulations!

11K of climbing... sounds like a good time!

I haven't done a century in 15 years but I really wanted to do this ride. Next year!

spingineer

Rycore, benriding, silentben,
Do you guys know where the pics they took at Iowa Hill is being posted? I just checked the Auburn Century web site, but nothing to indicate any pictures.

silentben

A couple days ago I emailed the address on the Auburn Century website inquiring about the photos and so far I haven't gotten a response. In addition to the pictures, I'm also eager to see the results from the time trial although not sure if they'll post my time since I was an unofficial last minute participant. Anyway I'll post here if I hear anything.

msincredible

Hey, congrats you guys! That sounds like quite a tough ride, I'm impressed!

hoo_koo

Thanks to all of you for posting your recounts of the long routes-- it made for great reading. My buddies & I were only able to make it to the China Wall turnaround point (80 mile route) and we were definitely toasty by the finish. But a good time was had by all, and our collective helmets are doffed to you on your accomplishments. Chapeau!

Rydaddy wasn't the only one who broke a spoke-- one of the spokes on my rear Rolf Vector Comp snapped on the way back down from China Wall. Luckily the wheel stayed rideable to the finish.

We're also interested in seeing the TT results as well as photos, and will be sure to post any links we find...

BTW, did anyone else notice that there's a pic of the two young ladies who worked the Time Trial finish on PezCyclingNews?

https://www.pezcyclingnews.com/photos...07/AubCent.jpg

spingineer

I almost stopped by to take a picture of them, after I got to the top of the time trial. I was too tired ... I should have asked to see if I could get a picture with the two of them.

Addicted ... I can be addicted to whatever they want

spingineer

Did anyone find out where the pictures are that they took of us at Iowa Hill?

hoo_koo

The Auburn Century website has posted the Iowa Hill TT results!

https://www.auburncentury.com/pdfs/20...ll_results.pdf

Still no photos yet though...

silentben

Wow, the times this year were *fast*. Like two minutes faster than last year for both men and women. I'm pleased to see my official time is actually 6 seconds quicker than I expected