terrymorse 

Has anyone here been to the Huntsman Senior Games in Utah?

Several events to enter, I'm thinking maybe it would be fun to try one. Criterium, time trials, hill climb, road race. And a non-competitive bike tour.

Age breaks every 5 years, starting at 50. Four divisions: Expert, Experience, Recreational, Beginner.

Looks like the cycling events will be October 4-7, 2022.

terrymorse 

I'm considering the hill climb: 3 miles with an average grade of 5.6%.

That seems doable, will somebody talk me into doing it?

ofajen

10 mph. What? 18 minutes? No problem. Barely a warm up. You can do it, ride down and ride it again.

How did I do?

Otto

terrymorse 

Well done, except competitive times are more like 14 minutes (60-64 category). 3 months to train, why not give it a go? So what if I’m at the wrong end of the age category?

i just found out my old ride buddy is going. He’s 84.

DiabloScott

Is there a Strava segment we can look at?
5.6% is a little less than North Gate Road on Diablo... sub 5-minute miles to be competitive in 60-64? That's outta my league... that's elite.
Here's an example - you might recognize some of these names:


This is the last mile of NGR before Junction.



https://www.strava.com/segments/1773196

I authorize going for it... if only for the souvenir jersey.
https://store.finedesigns.com/sfl/ns...ng-jersey.html

terrymorse 

There's no single Strava segment that covers the entire course, but there are portions.

I just created a Strava route for the complete Huntsman Hill Climb course that lists the existing segments.

Back in 2012, I completed the last mile of Mt. Hamilton West (6.0%) at 11.7 mph. If I can regain that form from 10 years ago (big "if" there), and maintain it for 3 miles, I may have a shot at the Category 2 leader board.

rsbob 

Bet you have ridden Mt Tam. How did that go?

terrymorse 

I've only done Mt. Tam as a social ride, so not much to go on there.

Clipped_in

I have a friend that goes every year. He likes it, but he beats up on everyone in his age class. It is a quality event.

terrymorse 

Ha! Of course he likes it. Who doesn't like beating up everyone in a race?

What's his age class? Hopefully, a different class than mine (60-64).

Hermes

Well, you live in Palo Alto so you have several great climbs to train on - OLH, Kings Mountain, 84, Page Mill and Highway 9. I suspect the bottom portion of Kings or 84 will match the climb at the Games. I liked the first 10 minutes on Kings starting from Tripp to the Park and then coast down and do it again. I like the climb up 84 since it was not that steep and it was easier to keep a higher cadence and more speed. OLH is very picturesque and fun but at times too steep and the descent not great. Hence ride up OLH and down 84 and repeat - hard workout. Off days, I suggest an easy spin 20 minutes (under 100 watts). You can tack on an easy spin after the repeats as well.

Good luck with the HC.

terrymorse 

Good training advice, thanks.

I was thinking Highway 9 up to Redwood Gulch would be ideal. Fairly steady grade, traffic's not too bad.

Kings Mountain Rd up to Huddart Park is very good, too. Thanks for that suggestion.

I like descending 84, but climbing it can be rough with the uphill traffic.

Hermes

When I started training for racing in 2008, I used a coach that used the climb up 84 versus OLH quite often in the early part of the season. The reason is he wanted more speed for less effort and then we continued to the coast and returned via 84. Later when he wanted more mountain style training we started at Canada / 92 and climbed OLH and descended 84 and left to Pescadero. Right on Stage to PCH and then right on Tunitas Creek to the top of Skyline and descend Kings Mountain.

We climbed 84 in the morning and traffic did not seem to be a problem. I was in NorCal for 16 years of cycling so situations may have changed since I moved in 2016 to SoCal.

There is another interesting climb that may be a good workout for you that is shorter. It is Crystal Springs to Highway 35. At the juncture of Crystal Springs and Pulhemas bear right on Crystal Springs. The climb is about 3 to 4 minutes to 35 but not too steep. The descent is easy and safe. Do as many reps as makes sense.

terrymorse 

That's a good idea, thanks. Just about a mile from Polhemus to 35 (Sawyer Camp Trail entrance). I descend that often, but I hadn't thought of it as a hill repeat. Nice length for intervals.

Hermes

We were getting ready for the Circuit Race that is over by Mount San Bruno (but yet another mountain you can climb and I used to race up it on New Year’s Day as the first USAC race of each year). The circuit race featured a fast power climb section and descent. Crystal Springs climb was a reasonable proxy although having more elevation.

I went out in my coaches’ group and we did 15 repeats up Crystal Springs to Sawyers Camp. I though he was kidding when he told us to do 15 repeats. Previously, I had done that climb several times on my way from San Mateo Park to Canada Road. 15 in a row seemed like a lot. However, we were going to race around 15 laps during the circuit race. It turned out to be a good proxy in preparing for the event.

terrymorse 

I think I found a nice segment for hill repeats, close to home. 1.18 miles at 5.1%, with a steep kicker in the middle.

There's a loop-back descent for recovery. Repeat until exhausted, limp home.

This will be fun, right?



Strava segment: Magdalena

Clipped_in

Ha, he's in the 80+ age class so you're off the hook. You may race with him, but not against him.

Terex

What is the elevation of the competition? I live at 7,600' and the hills go up from there. Riding at altitude is hugely different than riding close to sea level. Edit: I looked it up and St. George UT is at 2700', so probably not too bad.