Down Hill Century
 

Myself a friend and his wife are doing our first century this week end. It's a down hill century. Gotta start somewhere right. Was his wifes idea. She's never ridden more than 65 miles. Found this one http://www.bikejournal.com/thread.as...D&mostRecent=1 so we are going to give it a shot. My wife will e]be driving the Sag Wagon.

Anyone here done this ride?

Haven't done it, but it looks like a fun ride!

It’s the same concept as white water canoeing. You start at the top and ride back to the finish point. You will probably have an average speed worth posting on Bike Forums.:D If you could arrange to have a tail wind, that would be even better.:rolleyes:

What do you reckon Jet--New to century rides so add on a couple of minutes for Butt breaks- but I reckon a 4hr30 min target for this one.

If they don't make a SAG stop under 4 should be within reach.

Shouldn't we move this thread over to the ongoing discussion about locations for the 4th annual 50+ ride? Dnvr could host this one and would probably get no grumbling at all.

This time of year be prepared for any weather. Independence Pass gets closed for the winter pretty fast. Be prepared for a few curves. But, it looks like fun.

And, I am not hosting any more rides of any kind!! :)

Make a motion so you can get a second for a vote.

And, be careful - my Brother-in-law is the Sheriff of Chaffee County (Buena Vista and Salida). He is pretty mean! :)

If it was just my friend and I I would say 4:30, however his wife is riding this as well so thats going to add time. I'm well aware of the curves and weather on Independence pass as I've been watching that area for a couple of weeks now. As far as your BIL goes I have no fear of him or his crew. I mind the speed limit and what not. I'm hoping to borrow a friends video camera for the ride down the pass towards Twin Lakes. Pic's willbe posted next week.

From the elevation chart, the last 55 miles drops from 7,450 to 5,750 elevation (1700 feet net). That's an average of -0.6% grade, or 32 feet per mile. At 20 mph, 3 minutes per mile, that's only 11 feet per minute. Riders probably couldn't just coast down this part.
Riders could still get a good workout if they pushed the pace at all.

I've descended some ~15 mile slopes, and I can tell you, it does feel good! I would just love to do this century - it might give me a boost, after struggling with a bad knee and OA for a few years...

It's actually an ego boost and confidence builder for my friends wife. The farthest she done is about 60 miles. She's rather new to the sport, just riding a little over a year. Her hubby and I do long rides all the time and she either stays at home or hangs with my wife in the Sag Wagon. My wife can't ride much due to Lupus. 10 to 20 miles at the most on good days. If we can build her confidence enough we can get her to do the MS 150 or some other charity century ride with us next year.

Hehe - I would so love to do this ride~! I could just see it, me doing a 7hr century, and all that know me never believing it~! If anyone here gets cue sheets, I would so like to get one please?

Sure it's a ways away, but talk about worth the drive~!

Heck, you could do a double century with this one.

Make sure your breaks are in proper working order. :lol:

"Our route first takes us to Buena Vista, where we'll encounter the one and only significant climb of the day -- The Wall, a 90 ft., half-mile, 5% gut churner, shown by the one small lump on the elevation profile."

Awesome. :lol:

What a HOOT! Wish I could make that one! Beware the curves on that downhill, one could get air born coming down from Leadville.

Not sure about the gut churner comment. That part isn't that bad.

We will be staying in Leadville the night before but riding away from it once we hit Twin Lakes.

Dnvr...And, I am not hosting any more rides of any kind!!

And I thought you would be hosting the annual "goathead" classic:)
R

So here are the stats for the down hill century. It was a great ride, cool when we started off and then warmed up really nice. We made several sag stops, mostly to take pictures of the leaves turning. Once I get the pictures loaded somewhere I'll post them in this thread.



http://connect.garmin.com/activity/118973310

That ride looks like it was custom-made for me! I bet sub-4 would be do-able, even with a couple of short butt breaks. A 0.6% down grade might not be quite coastable, but I bet I could pedal it at 27-28 mph. The best tool for the job might be the street luge with dual discs.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1.../NewBaron1.jpg

Very cool!!

Congratulations on a great (and creative) century.

I think the ultimate would be to start in La Paz, Bolivia and ride to Santa Cruz, La Paz is at 3300m, Santa Cruz is 300m, although it's nearly 800km, it's mostly downhill. Roads might be a little dodgy in places though.... :eek: