I completed the Dairyland Dare on this Nova X this year.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/356683768
The Dairyland Dare 150km Ride Report with introduction;
Several hilly challenge rides are held every year in the hilly Dairy farm region in southwestern Wisconsin. I increase my riding every summer hoping to have a good result at the Dairyland Dare held in Dodgeville, WI in early August. This event offers 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 & 300km ride lengths. I've attended the Dairyland dare several times since 2007. In 2008 I finished the 150km length in 7:50 time. I skipped the event in 2009. In 2010 I finished the 150km length in 7:49 time! My goal for 2013 was to equel my prior time without trying too hard. I would limit my substantial breaks to the 32 & 75 miles rest stops. The 150km route provides more than 10,000 ft of climbing.
I logged more than 700 training miles during the nine weeks prior to the event and I wished that I had ridden more. I also changed bikes, and put a 52,42,30 triple and an 12-28 eight speed cassette on my 1978 Serotta. The combination of wide gearing and a very stiff frame proved to be an effective improvement over my prior steel bikes.
Event day provided perfect weather, with mostly clear skies and temperatures in the 48 to 84 degree range. The humidity was low, a 5-10 northerly wind was felt on some sections.
I arrived at 5:40am, was able to park close to the start, and was in position to start a few minutes after 6am. The event is super-organized, with local police controlling intersections and more than 100 volunteers on the course. My batch of starters crossed the electronic timer and headed southeast over the rolling farm hills. Rolling is the best way to envision the course. Sections often look like an oversized roller coasters ride, with 45 mph drops that would last a thousand yards and a symmetrical climb that slows me to 5 mph for several minutes. Feeling strong and fresh, I used my 210 lbs mass to roll partually up the hill and then resumed speed as I crested the top. This created a situation where I would pass a group on descent and I would be passed on the climb. In accordion fashion, I stayed with the same set of cyclist for the first 35 miles, with this pattern repeating itself a dozen times.
The first section ends in Mineral Point after 15 miles. With police stopping traffic everywhere, I was able to travel through this folksy rural town non-stop. Leaving town, I passed several dozen riders by just getting in a tuck and taking the corners at speed. This pattern held until we returned to Lands End HQ. I used the Lands End parking lot as my first rest stop. I rode to my car, removed my vest, and ate a banana and energy bar. I also filled a bottle with Hammer Sustained Energy and filled the second bottle with water. My plan was to skip the next few rest stops and travel to a distant stop at mile 75.
The route uses the roads within Governor Dodge State Park. After a mile, the park road drops about 500ft over a mile and my speed hit 45 mph. This was a little sketchy since forest debris and repaired pavement is not ideal on a curvy downhill. To my surprise, a very fast rider on a TT bike passed me! So, I’m not the only guy that’s nuts! I caught my group at the bottom of the hill. The climb out is in the 16 to 18% range, I slowed to 4 mph using a 30t chainring and a 28 rear cog. Others were walking. At the top of the hill, most riders used the rest stop, but I kept going with supplies enough for the next 35 miles.
After leaving Governor Dodge State Park and covering a few miles on a HWY 23, we entered a rural section of forests and valleys. This is the kind of terrain that is so outstanding in this area. Thirty mile views are available from the ridges and secluded roads, sheltered by a canopy of trees, is the norm. Two long descents and two steep climbs dominate the section that’s starts after turning off Hwy 23 and finishes on County Road ZZ. These two climbs are the steepest for the first 50 miles.
In prior years, the Dairyland dare would travel south on Route Z. This year, the riders travel east on ZZ are treated to a near mile long drop at high speed. The route then traveled on a flatter section of Route Y for a few miles. The recovery time is good to enjoy since a mile long climb in the 3 to 9 mph range will soon dominate the better part of ten minutes. At the top of Route Y, the 100km continues on Route Y, while the 150km riders use the Military Trail bike path.
The path is mostly smooth and firm but a few sections are a little soft or rough due to older age of the surface. At Evans Quarry Rd, the riders leave the trail and drop down while heading north. This is a fun and fast downhill, the road is narrow but the sight lines are good and it's easy to enjoy the speed. Evans Quarry Rd ends at Route Y and the cyclist turn east at this point. We are now seeing oncoming cyclist who are heading up towards Dodgeville. In less than a mile, we climb up Ridgeville Rd and reconnect with the Military Trail bike path.
I take my second rest stop and chat with a cyclist from Illinois who grew up in Italy. Roberto was avery nice guy with a daughter in Northwestern. After drinking to the fill and enjoying some fruit I fill my bottles with HEED and return to the ride.
I nice long decent on County HHH follows and wide pavement made this speedy decent super easy. I continue north on HHH, the turn-off on Knobs Road comes up soon. Knobs Road is a long stair-step climb that last about two miles. It’s a nice road, very quiet with a variety of farmland and forests. Knobs Road ends at County T, and I know I have only about 25% left to finish. The last 20 miles includes a lot of vertical, both up & down. The long grinding climbs are very much back-loaded, a smart cyclist needs to save plenty of stamina for the finish. I’m feeling good and taking it slow for the last 25 miles. I probably use two hours to cover the last 25% of the event.
An intersection coated with gravel marks the beginning of Far-Look Rd. This is another long & steep climb, with some sections exceed 10%. Knowing that I’m close to the end and have not over-extended myself, I feel confident. After another long grind, I reach Route Z. At Korback Rd, we head east again. This road is another lovely descent, with rolling sections and the forest provides shade for the last section of this road. The route then follows Route Y to Route ZZ. We then travel uphill along Griffiths Rd, a suprising set of hills
I took a short break at the 90 mile point. Resuming my ride, I travel down route Z, with a pack of younger riders grabbing my wheel at 45 mph. As the road bottoms out, I start the mile long climb at 5 mph. A few more rolling hills along route Z and I approach the start/finish point. I enter Lands End and see the Bikeforums cyclist who are enjoying a beer and cheering me on. I’m finally at the conclusion.
As usual, I was “as slow as a snail” for the Dairyland Dare 150km. Many riders coming to this event are very fit & fast. It’s impressive to see, and a part of the fun. My challenge was to ride, ride & ride until completed.