Pakiwi

Is anybody else signed up for Mountains of Misery, May 25th in Virginia.
I signed up for the Century with 10k of climbing. First time I will have been on such a hilly ride. Don't have a time that I am aiming for other than finishing before they close the course.
My focus is on Hill climbing this year which I hope will improve my overall fitness.
Allan

jjjjjjay

Tempting. So tempting...

Might need to shoot for next year, but pondering... thanks for sharing. I was curious about how to learn more about organized rides and this looks like a fun one to shoot for someday.

rm -rf

Wow, that's a big, steep finish. Here's the last two miles on Strava: Mom last two Miies, 1300 feet at an average 12% grade. It's the end of the final climb which is 6.4 miles, 2200 feet.

From a rider's strava upload for MOM 2013.

Pakiwi

Yes I know it's a tough finish. I started my Hill climbing workouts today. 13 miles and 1400 ft of climbing with a 23 percent gradient. Only did it once but goal will be to do multiple loops as my practice for this ride.
I am also looking at the Storming of Thunder Ridge also, but not sure if I will be up to doing both.
Allan

rm -rf

I had low back pain on a ride last year with lots of steep climbs. I should do regular core exercises before any big, steep rides.

Another ride you might consider is the Blue Ridge Brutal on Aug 8. The 75 mile route is the same as the 100 mile until it turns off at mile 70. The last 30 miles of the 100 route is the "brutal" part, with lots of steep climbs. The 75 mile route is challenging, but the grades are mostly reasonable. Nothing brutal here. The section from mile 15 to 37 is on a scenic part of the Blue Ridge Parkway, with mostly shorter hills.

Pakiwi

I have seen some rides in the area I would love to sign up for, but I don't think my wife will allow me to be anywhere near the area due to a woman in my past. Maybe one day.
I do love that area.
Allan

JimF22003

This is a great ride. I'm sure you'll enjoy it... if you LIVE

I've done it four times. On the third time I ended up having to walk about half a mile up to the finish. I signed up for it again this year, but I am really badly out of shape, so I don't know if I'll be able to do the whole thing. The ride comes back through the starting point at about 70-some miles, so I may have to bail out there.

I ride a bike with a compact crank, so a low gear of 34/28. I'm thinking of going to an 11-speed setup that will let me go to a 34/32. That last climb up to Mt. Lake is just brutal.

Maybe I'll see you at the ride.

Pakiwi

I upgraded my rear cassette from 28 to 32.
Just going to focus on hills. Lots of them and steep ones too.
Going to run a power meter so I can stay with set limits and not blow a Foo Foo valve.
I am going to try my best and do all the work I can along the way. I know losing as much weight as I can will help.
Allan

IBOHUNT

That is an awesome ride. Did it back in '13. Burgers and a massage at the end? Well yes, thank you very much. Would like to do it again
There is only two real climbs that you need to be concerned about. One at mile 59 or so that's 2 1/2 miles @ ~8% then, as has been mentioned, the final 6 1/2 miles that goes up 2100'.
Of that entire 10,000+' Century they throw in 3200' of it in 9 miles.
That makes the rest of the miles @jsigone definition = "moundy" since that's only ~75'/mile

Pakiwi

I read you get a beer and a massage at the end.
What was the weather like for the ride. How windy does it get in the hills.
Allan

Chitown_Mike

Well if I end up on the east coast in the next few months this might be something to do next year.

Any other good centuries out there?

Pakiwi

Oh my Yes very much so. Just in May in the same area Cap to Cap, storming of thunder Ridge which is another Holly epic and that's just may. Going to do the Seagull later in the year which has about 200 ft of climbing the entire ride.
Let me know if you want other information or links.

Allan

IBOHUNT

Tons of centuries all over the place. Here's a few of my favorites:

You can do this one as 25,44,62,102 or 125 - Garrett County Gran Fondo in Maryland.
I'd suggest doing the double metric at 16,500' of gain. The century only has 12,700' of gain

Home - Civil War century. Only ~11,000' gain and it rides past my front door

https://www.meetup.com/BikeCVCC/events/220868636/ Cumberland Valley Century in Maryland. Maybe 7,000' gain. Ride to it from the house

CASA River Century 2015 Bike Ride to Benefit CASA of the Eastern Panhandle - West Virginia. Only 7,000' gain. Another one I ride to.

Mountain Mama Road Bike Challenge - HIGHLAND COUNTY RECREATION COMMISSION - Virginia. A little less than 14,000' gain. Awesome views.

17th Annual Blood Sweat and Gears in North Carolina. Only 8800' of gain

Chitown_Mike

Sweet. I might be out there at the end of May just north of the DC area, so I might be PMing you folks.

red sox junkie

Signed up this year, staying at the Mountain Lake lodge. Did it back in 2008 and it was tough, but awesome ride. Very well organized and the logistics for this ride can be a challenge. I did it in 34 ring 32 sprocket and spun my way up the last climb. Passed more than a couple of walkers. I was hollow by the end of the ride, but I like that feeling! Good luck!

Pakiwi

Thanks IBOHUNT. Great additions.
I may add the Gettysburg century to my list.
I know your racing this year, but will you be doing any of these?
Allan

IBOHUNT

Doubt I'll be doing any of these this year when they are being held. I ride the roads of the Civil War, CASA and CVCC centuries all the time so it's not really a big deal to me.

Pakiwi

Understand. Have 9 centuries figured out and a 200 and 300 km Brevet.
Need to get some things for the Brevets and do some reading.
Allan

JimF22003

For some of these rides such as MoM and Civil War Century there are rider limits, and they sell opretty fast. So if you're interested, keep an eye on the registration opening dates.

Two rides I did for the first time last year that were very nice rides were:

Grand Fondo Allegany out of Covington VA:
Gran Fondo Alleghany

Wheels of Hope out of Lewisburg, WV:
Century Bicycle Ride

IBOHUNT

Here is one I was told I am doing this year. Chambersburg PA

FCC Century Ride ? Franklin County Cyclists

Looks like I'll get to wear the October team jersey in June

IBOHUNT

What's the 200 and 300 km elevation gain look like?
I'm guessing these will be 7-10 hours in the saddle days

IBOHUNT

Alleghany looks like a nice one. Another 10,000' day

Pakiwi

The Brevets I am looking at have 7000 and 11000 ft of climbing. As its a Randouneur ride, the time limit is 13 hours and 20 hours. Just have to average 15km per hour. I was looking at a 400 km but think it's a stretch for me this year, so changed to the 300.
I know the longer distances I am going to have to change my mindset and plan a lot more. It's a no support ride so what you need, you need to carry.
Allan