I'm competing in the Joe Martin Stage Race this weekend. The race is heald in Fayetteville, Arkansas, which is in the Ozarks. This will be my 3rd USCF sanctioned race, and I'll be competing as a cat 4 (in the cat 3/4 division). I am not sure how exactly to ride the time trial course this Saturday...

The course is 2.5 miles long. It has a brief flat section at the start, but the remainder of the course is a climb at a grade of 6-10%. I am not the most awesome climber in the world, but I definately hold my own, and have out-climbed most other cat 3/4 women in my previous races (note- previous races have been rolling hills w/a couple of big hills interspersed).

I do hill intervals on the biggest hills in my area at least once a week, but, I live in Memphis, TN, so I'm talking about short hills that, on a good day, you can do in about 2-2.5 minutes.

Last year, for my category, the better times from this course were from 11-12 minutes (the best pro 1/2 women did it in 10-11).

Any tips from some of you that have the luxury of long climbs in your area?