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NealH, rides the quiet roads of Bland County, Va. on the Big Walker Metric this past Sat. Bland County does not have one traffic light! It was a beautiful ride.

I am visiting family in Austin TX and on my neighborhood ride today a woman more interested in eating her breakfast than driving pulled out in front of me at a stop sign. Luckily she saw me before we collided and hit her brakes just in time. I thought we were going to collide.
Then I decided to take a slightly different route and came across a large dog loose in his yard that decided I would be fun to chase. Again luckily I
got away without any contact. the rest of the ride was good.

Only had time today for stretch my legs ride of 23 miles. Had to stop for a man trying to get his horse under control in the middle of the bike path. Had to stop again for city workers blocking the bike path instead of pulling over to one side. Had to slow down for a cop car going slow down the bike path. Clouds burned off and was breezy and sunny, 68 to 70 degrees. Legs feel good, did not get tired

30.5 mile after work ride in 90° heat. It was not too bad with 37% humidity.
I used NuuN tablets today for the first time. I am not sure if I was out long enough for them to be effective or not but I didn't feel drained like sometimes when I ride in the heat. I had Kona Cola flavor and thought it tasted pretty good.
I will use them again for sure. :thumb:
Like ahsposo said It is not bad until you stop at a red light. Only had to once tonight even though they are more, my timing was good tonight. :)

30.5 mile after work ride in 90° heat. It was not too bad with 37% humidity.
Like ahsposo said It is not bad until you stop at a red light. Only had to once tonight even though they are more, my timing was good tonight. :)
I used NuuN tablets today for the first time. I am not sure if I was out long enough for them to be effective or not but I didn't feel drained like sometimes when I ride in the heat. I had Kona Cola flavor and thought it tasted pretty good.
I will use them again for sure. :thumb:

Was visiting family in Montorsville PA over the weekend. Rode with a brother in law today for 43 miles over some of the nicest roads with great views of valleys, meadows, trout streams and forest with a few 700' - 1,000' hills to climb over.

Nice 30 mile ride theough the hills. Day is sunny and nice. New saddle and riding position have worked well for the perineum but the sit bones are still sore. Need more standing pedaling I guess. Spent a lot of time in the drops due to wind.

Although I was slowing to a stop yet another motorist give me the right of way at an intersection. I said:"Thank You". He replied: "You're welcome" Lots of people are so considerate and polite and all they want in return is a "Thank You". What a deal! Civilization is not dead!

Twenty-eight miles last night with the 'A-' group. Most of the ride was unremarkable; we were averaging almost exactly 20 mph over what I'd describe as 'tiny rollers:' 20-40 feet high, many at 3-5%. IOW, easy terrain! Four miles from the end, on a downhill, they were only going 22 mph, so I passed them. I was holding 27 mph even after the bottom, until my chain slipped and I had to stop. Rough road bounced it off its idler! Anyway, they got past me while I was hurrying to fix my chain keeper, and with a bit over 2 miles left, they were small dots down the road. Giving chase, I was catching them slowly at 27 mph, and the further I chased the faster I rode. I finally caught them; I was doing 31 and they were doing 25 mph. I had about ten seconds' rest (if you can call it that at 25 mph,) then the front bunch started their sign sprint. They'd already gapped the rearmost riders when I pulled into the passing lane and spun the pedals. The leader was just starting to feel safe in his victory when I went sailing past with 100 feet to spare. Computer showed top speed of 35.7 mph.

Hot One:
78 miles with Temps to 101*

41.3 miles this morning before the noon sun and heat. Expecting 90's for todays high.

I completed the Horribly Hilly Hundreds (HHH) 100K+ on June 19th. The route is 72 miles long with 5,700 feet of climbing and takes cyclist through the hilly kettle moraine country in southwestern Wisconsin. The HHH is one of three cycling events held in this area, the Dairyland dare and the Insane Terrain Challenge are also held every summer. The HHH is considered to be the most difficult century ride in the Midwest, but the other two events are also very difficult. Most people would agree that all three rides are both beautiful and extremely challenging.

The HHH 100K ride for me started with my alarm going off at 2 a.m. on June 19. I was apprehensive about what lay ahead of me that day despite having ridden 5000 miles in 2009 and improving on my fitness this year. I had ridden in this area three weeks prior and exhausted myself completely and had to shorten the ride. The prior weekend I rode with a HHH veteran who encouraged riding as slowly as possible on every incline. Using my heart rate monitor, I would make every effort to keep my heart rate low on the flats and not exceed 160 bpm on the climbs. A perfect pre-dawn morning greeted me when I opened the door and climbed in my car for the three hour ride. Around 5:30 a.m. I arrived at the parking lot at the top of the Blue Mound.

Many riders had already arrived and some were even leaving before 7 a.m., probably to avoid the mass start. The sight of cars, bumper to bumper, entering the parking area and the sounds of bikes being unloaded and friends greeting one another gave me a real sense something special was about to happen. The popularity of this ride is truly amazing.

The first big downhill on County Road K, north of Barneveld, brought everyone into Walnut Hollow at the base of Blue Mound. From here we climbed 620 feet up Mounds Park Road. The pavement is marked with the grade, 15%, 16% and other numbers, this was not what I needed to know. I followed my plan and stopped once my heartrate hit 160. I took pictures and waited for my body to recover. Other riders were walking it. How many of them knew that they would be climbing this one a second time at the end of the ride? Were many of them already wondering how they were going to respond to the challenge of the other 13 major hills ahead? Many of the early climbs were shaded, which kept them cool and quiet. At times the only sounds I heard were derailleurs downshifting and the soft chatter between riders, as they encouraged each other.

I think riders are drawn to the HHH for the challenge of climbing. But for every uphill there is a corresponding big downhill. At the top of many hills there is a panoramic view of the Wisconsin countryside. No better view and downhill can be found on the HHH than those experienced on County F at Brigham County Park. The view to the north towards the Wisconsin River valley is inspiring. And the downhill, which follows shortly thereafter, may be the best descent in the state. Descending 760 feet over four miles can trick some riders into thinking the HHH isn’t so challenging a ride.

A right turn onto Blue Mounds Trail Road quickly brought back into focus the real test HHH presents. A climb up Sand Ridge started shortly after crossing Elvers Creek, rising 260 feet in the next three-quarters of a mile effectively taking back almost all of the altitude lost in the descent from Brigham County Park. Two high-speed descents and another long climb brought the ride out to State Highway 78, where a Dane County sheriff’s deputy was positioned to assist riders making the turn onto Moen Valley Road.

I climbed the increasingly difficult stepped hill on Moen Valley Road and enjoyed it. To be on this shaded climb on a cool, sunny morning with dozens of other riders is what it's all about. I very attractive lady cyclist coached me up the hill: “make smooth circles with each turn of the crank”. I was a little too embarrassed to chat at that point. I kept telling myself “take it slow, avoid heavy demands, save yourself for the finish”.

The reality of the HHH is quickly reestablished with the steep climb on Schebel Road up to the first rest stop of the ride at Festge Park. There hundreds of riders seek relief, nourishment and friends from whom they had become separated.

One of the most notorious climbs on the HHH is encountered soon thereafter. This section is just over a quarter-mile long, but in that distance it gains 240 feet with an average 13 percent grade. Again, I stopped and allowed my heartrate to recover. In the middle of this climb may be the point on the HHH where riders intending on completing the 200K route decide maybe 100K is enough. 200K riders who struggle badly on Barlow Road and on the next steep climb on Mineral Point Road are much more likely to get off the 200K route by continuing straight on County Road J instead of turning right onto Greenwald Road.

I took J and the 100k route, as planned. A 20 mph headwind was hitting us with full force, but this section is mostly downhill. I found myself passing riders and traveling in the 30 to 40 mph range. Several riders dropped in behind me and a small paceline formed up. At this point in the HHH there is only one steep climb on Zwettler Road to negotiate before Rest Stop No. 2 on County Road K. The climb op Zwettler has an 18% section. I surprised myself by completing the climb without walking. Noting my heartrate was above 160, I stopped again and took more pictures. I also ate and drank well. Feeling good, I was able to skip the second rest stop. My plan was working.

The first major climb on the last portion of the HHH is sadistically 1 1/2 miles from the rest stop. It is not a good idea to undertake this climb on a full stomach with muscles that have cooled down from a long rest. Pinnacle Road ascends 310 feet in a half mile at a 12 percent pitch. I knew getting to the top was just the start of the hardest part of courses.

Yet to come were 400-foot, three-quarter-mile climbs on Lake View Road, with a maximum grade of 11 percent, and County Road T into Barneveld. Fortunately, there are also a couple of very fast downhills on good pavement on Knudson and Bryn Gyrwen roads between all uphills. The downhills are nice rewards. The shifting routine was notable. With 30 speeds I would shift across the range and use a few of my lowest gears or a few of my highest gears. It became shift, shift of the front triple crankset and shift, shift, shift, shift, shift, shift, shift, shift, shift, shift at the rear. The two miles between Barneveld and the last downhill on Ridge View Road allows one to refocus in time to tackle the last difficult climb of the ride. Saving the biggest challenge of the ride for the end is devious but ultimately empowering.

When you turn onto Mounds Park Road after a short jog on County K from Ridge View Road, you can see the top of the Blue Mound looming on the horizon. Over the final 3.5 miles of HHH, 925 feet of elevation are gained. I believe this has to be the most difficult finish to any bike ride currently in existence in Wisconsin. When Mounds Park Road crosses Blue Mounds Creek, the grade increases to 11 percent and remains there for the next three-quarters of a mile, sections of this climb are 16%. A short 55-foot descent breaks up the climbing just before the ride enters Blue Mound State Park. The last half-mile of the HHH ascends 300 feet at a 12 percent grade bringing you to the highest point in southern Wisconsin.

I stopped before the 16% section for water and to get my heart rate down. I also stopped again in the middle of the climb, one cyclist was suffering from cramps that would go away, and another had simple fallen over and was bruised and bleeding. I made sure they did not need further assistance and waited for them to recover and get moving again under their own power. I was good for the next mile, keeping my speed to 4 -5 mph with a smooth cadence of 50 rpm. The last section as above 15% again. Most of the finishers were walking, I joined them.

Well, I finished! I felt better than many of my flat 200k rides last year. Like skiing, cycling requires technique and mental skill, not just athletic ability. Next year will be better yet. I’ll also do the Dairyland Dare in August. I must be a masochist!

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Another typical Florida summer day. Hot humid mornings and rain in the afternoon. However it is good to be back on the bike. http://www.bikeforums.net/../images/smilies/thumb.gif

36.6 miles today 6/22 with my daughter
457.5 miles this month
3342 miles this year
106 ride days TY vs 108 ride days LY
4157 miles needed to hit 2010 goal (7500 miles)
I am @ 44+% of goal. I need to be @ 66.6% (5000 miles) by the end of August
336 miles ahead of this date last year

Barrettscv, great write up and well done. Sounds like a great ride. Really enjoyed the photos

Thanks,

The first is a 16% grade, second is 19% and third 11%

Those are some steep numbers.....

yes I did. 12.2 miles @ 19.7. Until the first of Sept I will have enough light for a ride (as opposed to running) 3 days a week before work

Yes, in point of fact I DID RIDE TODAY!!!! Normally that wouln't be a big deal, but this was my first commute after 4 weeks off with an Achilles injury. D**N, IT 'S GOOD TO BE BACK!!!!!

SP
Bend, OR

Yes, 23 miles on a really nice day with lot's of "high clouds" to keep the temps feeling mellow since we've been above 90F for a few days:eek:

yep but not on road bike. It was 94° so I did not feel like getting the bibs and jersey on, yeah lame excuse, so I jumped on the mtb with board shorts and wicking golf shirt and rode the MUP for an hour. Not sure distance but don't really care, it was better than sitting on sofa watching tv! Just took it easy and cruised along.

50 hot and sweaty miles at the Tuesday night training race. Noticed the odometer turned past 4,000 miles for the year.

I made an early weekend of it, and hit the Blue Ridge Parkway on Friday and Saturday. I rode from Otter Creek to Vinton and back (105 miles, 9k climbing) on Friday, and from Smart View to Fancy Gap (almost to the NC line), 101 miles, on Saturday. I felt stronger than I have so far this year. Topped it off with the good old Blue Ridger ride on Sunday. Hot, humid, and windy, so 55 miles was plenty.

I want another weekend just like THAT one!

Jim,

Sounds nice!

247mi, 12,240ft of climbing. Low traffic, luscious green forests and blue sky, humidity about 30%, temperature 75deg. No, wait, that was last week's fantasy. :o

Alas, no riding yesterday. Not likely today either. Skies gray. 75% chance of t-storms. High 86F. Plus work beckons. Real life makes its own demands. :(

Typical commute. Saw more cyclists on the road than last year (YAY!)

Did a short ride on my old Fuji 12 speed while my new Trek is getting serviced (one month complimentary check). Amazing how quickly I have become
adapted to brake/shift levers. Kept feeling like I should be able to just pivot the brake handles and not have to reach to the downtube to move a lever.
Can see why some of the vintage people upgrade their old bikes to new shifting mechanisms.