yeamac 

I was looking at organized rides around Houston on Saturdays and want to know if anyone has ridden in the Rolling Hills Challenge and if so, what you thought of it, the course, etc.

https://www.columbuslionsclub.org/lio...llenge2013.htm

This year it falls on Saturday, May 11.

10 Wheels

I have ridden it.

It is for experienced riders.

yeamac 

Care to elaborate?

I infer you are saying I should not take the word "challenge" in the name lightly.

George

Rolling hills and a lot of chip seal. When I ride there by myself, there are a lot of dogs, but I don't think you would have any problem with a large group. Have fun!

waitforme

I haven't done this particular ride but have ridden most of these roads before, nice rolling hills and good scenery. Unfortunately I have a conflict on Saturday otherwise I would definitely be doing this ride. Go for it.

George

I have a conflict as well. All the ribs you can eat for $13 at the Red River resturant on Mason road, lol

10 Wheels

Experienced riders = Fast Riders.

SAGs only take you back to the start. No Tire or Mechanical help if needed.

("All riders will receive an after-ride meal")

They were GONE when I got in.

yeamac 

Thanks for the replies. Hope the weather holds. If it looks bad maybe I'll end up doing the 62 or 50 mile route.

10 Wheels

Did you go?

yeamac 

Yes, I rode the Rolling Hills Challenge 100 mile route and it was certainly a challenge with all the rolling hills for a Houston flat-lander like me. It didn't help that my longest ride of the season prior to this ride was a 50-mile ride the Monday before, on the flats. Prior to that I did one 40-miler and then a few 25's, so 100 miles in hills was exhausting yet fun.

The weather was fantastic. Mid-60's at the start, low 80's by ride finish, partly cloudy so the sun wasn't beating on you all day. Low humidity as winds were out of the north. It was a perfect day for a ride -- the rain held off in spite of predictions. The ride starts by heading north and making a loop south back to Columbus, which with north winds meant we had a slight headwind the first half of the ride while riding in a group, and then mostly a tail wind later on as things got more spread out and as the energy level diminished. Excellent ride support with water and orange gatorade at each stop (I don't care for lemon-lime gatorade), homemade cookies, bananas, oranges, and pickles at all stops. Also portable toilets and hand sanitizer. Well marked route with good signage, with signs one mile out from each rest stop alerting riders the rest stop was coming up.

I'd highly recommend this ride for anyone in the future. If 100 miles is too much of a challenge, they have 62, 50, and 25 mile routes. It was pretty country to ride through, lots of wildflowers. Two thumbs up!

10 Wheels

Good report...Thanks