shibaman

Chico Wild Flower on SS?
I am going to do the Wild Flower in a couple of weeks for the first time. I know that there a couple of hills on the 100 mi. ride. Could it be done on a SS with a 42x16 gear set? I am looking for a challenge, but not walking the bike for ever either!

cccorlew

i know I couldn't do it. The first hill is just a grunt, but not hard. The second (with all the 10%+) is beautiful and protected. I enjoyed it.
The last hill was hard the year I rode because it was hot and we were out in the sun, unprotected. Maybe it was the heat, or the fact it came later but it was a struggle on my road bike.

Hope this helps.

gwsmith

I rode the 2008 Wildflower on a fixed gear with 39x15 gearing, which is very close to 42x16. I didn't have to walk it at all, but the third hill (Table mountain) was the biggest struggle, especially with the heat and the fact that the hill doesn't really let up toward the top. If I were to do it SS and could coast downhill, I probably would go with one gear lower (42x17) to make those hills just a little more pleasant while still allowing a pretty good pace on the last 30 miles of flats.

shibaman

I have decided to take my System Six with a compact. I am meeting a couple of young strong guys from Cycle Folsom that I ride with on the weekends. These guys think that they are going to hammer on the ride to they burn out, and then try to finish at a reasonable pace. If I take the SS speed there is no way I can keep up on the hills. The Six is a climbing fame, so I will have fun on the hills. I will have a good idea for next year if I can do this ride on my SS. I have 4200 mi. on a 09 Langster. My best average speed for 50 mi. was 19.1 including some climbs. It is still my favorite bike for a work out. The route that I do makes me spin, mash, and stand, while pulling up on the bar to climb hills. All great fun!

shibaman

I did the Wildflower today. Nice ride in the hills. Table Mt. would have been very hard on my 42x16 gear set. I think that I may have walked some of it. It was easy on the Six with a compact. Still had to work and sweat, but was able to pass most people on the climbs. The last 30 mi. on the flats in the wind sucked! I would rather suffer on a climb, than endure a flat wind ride. At 85 mi. I was tired on being on the bike and took the lead to pull, only to find no one behind me. Ended the last of the ride spinning into the wind by my self at 20+.