bamboobike4

I'm from there.
Rode it once.
Won't ride it again.
Hope it's changed.
There are many better.

It's one thing to pay to get beat up.
It's another to repeat the process.

HHH's main draw right now is the challenging course, and small-group loyalty to that course.
The "I did this" factor. If that's enough, great. Things can change, and things do.
Assault on Mount Mitchell endures for a lot of the same reasons.

I compare HHH in Wisconsin to HHH in Texas.
The draw is the challenge, or was at first.
However, in Texas, they don't mess around.
The support, food, ice, drinks, water, mixes, etc etc is outstanding.
It's kind of an attitude that they approach it with.
As such, 9,000 is a small crowd, and 12,000 is not unusual.
If it dips below 100 degrees, that was a "cool" day.
The support is so good, you really don't notice.
Until about mile 90....

Many rides come, go, change, etc.
RAW, for example, was Dubuque to Kenosha.
The riders wanted it changed, by a wide margin.
It became LaCrosse to Green Bay, was outstanding.
The riders wanted it changed, or at least someone did.
(Jens Voigt was not one of them)
Now it's a commercial enterprise to get tourist dollars spent.
Also an ad for Wisconsin Dells, Trek, and Harley-Davidson.
It happens. RAGBRAI has towns bidding for the business.
Bike Virginia is the same. Markets change.
What starts as fun ends up as money.

Maohaus

Well, I am sorry you 'all are all grumpy-faced about Horribly Hilly Hundreds. I rode the 126 mile last year and it was fabulous. Decided to do the 66 mile this year and it too was fabulous. One of the best supported rides I have ever experienced. Most likely will ride it again next year. Did the Dairyland Dare last year and had a great time as well - will be on the road again this year for DD.

Either you 'all are still pissy about a ride you did 10 + years ago or just hard to please. Personally, I am eternally grateful that I can do these at 66 years old and that someone is willing to host the event in the first place. Methinks that having a stale bagel ruin your day is ostensibly a first world problem.

madpogue 

Only thing missing is the red Solo cup.

iab

Again, what’s so awesome about the HHH? The route? I can ride that for free. The only thing they can offer is support. And I am still waiting patiently for you to explain how has the HHH support changed.

btw, Bike the Barns is 100% volunteered and the money raised goes to feeding those in need. It is a great organized bike ride. Other than the organizer’s pocket, where do the proceeds of the HHH go?

madpogue 

Oh, does anyone know if the (other) overfed long-haired leaping gnome (he who shall not be named) might be showing up for this ride?

rccardr 

Turns out I will be in another location that weekend.

thinktubes 

Wish the ride had a 100-mile option.

bamboobike4

I’m actually doing that this year.
Staying at 8,500’ the week prior.
Should get in Mt. Evans, too.
Hope to be back for Auburn.
Seeing clients in CO, so not sure.

madpogue 

You could start early enough to do the short + long, that would get you close.

iab

bamboobike4

I asked him and he's considering it.
He likes food. He likes the terrain options NW of Madison.
He likes cheese, which he can get en route.
He's off that weekend.

Maohaus

iab, I didn't know that BF was a home for trolls too. Since I don't do social media at all, it took me awhile to finally get how this works. I say something positive, and you say something negative. Exhausting really.

I will make sure to avoid BF events, as I prefer to be around positive and grateful humans who look for the best in all of God's Blessings. Life is too short to spend dealing with trolls

bamboobike4

The best trolls are in Mount Horeb. I think it's sort of known for them.
They have a Troll Trail, and a Grumpy Troll Brewery that used to have draft root beer.

Maohaus

Now that is funny! Been to MH many times and even the Grumpy Troll Brewery (once, and only once). If I am not mistaken, Mt. Horeb also has a mustard museum in addition to smiley trolls.

bamboobike4

Years ago, you had to go through Mt. Horeb to get to Madison via 18/151.
(Summertime required a stop at the A&W.)
After the last light, you could TL and get over to Mineral Point Rd for the "fast way" into Madison.
There was a farm there.. It's now the home of a BF member who rides in good weather, curls all winter.

madpogue 

Mount Horeb also has a new-ish bike shop with my favorite shop name (well, I guess tied with the Old Spokes Home in Burlington VT) -- Trail This! (Never been in person, but their eBay prices are quite competitive.)

79pmooney

Every time I come across this headline, my eyes see

"Anyone up for vilifying the greatest ride in Wisconsin in September?"

79pmooney

I'm far from the midwest so I'm passing in this ride (and doing Cycle Oregon instead). But I'll always have a soft spot for Wisconsin cycling. I rode across Hwy 8 in early October, 1975, west to east. Minneapolis to Saginaw, MI. Weather was beautiful. Tailwinds. Good people. Polite drivers. 2 lane hwy, no shoulder at all. The trucks that were going to pass close honked a long ways back. Plenty of time to stop and let them pass.

Afternoons I would stop at a pub, drink absolutely fresh Pabst Blue Ribbon, chat with the bartender and part leaving a buck that included a 33% tip. (Only other customer would be long past coherent conversation. The bartenders enjoyed my stays.)

bamboobike4

I noticed those prices and selection, and thought to convince ldmataya to do a little B&E, but he's so darn legal.
They say all curlers are. It's a broom thing with those stoners.

madpogue 

Did this include the ferry ride to Ludington?

79pmooney

No, I was 30 miles north, riding through Ladysmith. No ferries. In fact I have no memories of much in the way of lakes or rivers between Minnesota and Michigan.

madpogue 

Well, there's one that's about 50 miles across, and an extra 200-300 miles to go around.....

iab

Alright, who's in!!!??? And what are you riding? This is my plan.

Rola 01 by iabisdb, on Flickr

madpogue 

^^^^ You won't be hard to spot. Not sure how you're gonna carry your water.... I'm torn between my latest:

1987 Nishiki Cresta, canti tourer, upgraded to 6-speed rear, 3 water bottle cages (water for the whole route), 28/32 low gear

,,,and my "fastest" (as fast as I can go, anyway...)

1989 Circuit

Deciding factor will be the terrain, plan to contact them to get the routes, and I'll figure out what kind of climbing it will entail.

iab

I kinda dig that Nishiki. But either is a fine choice.