Chelsea, MI One Hellava Ride

[Jen-Jen]

Hi all- Well my first century is coming up on July 12th. I am so there! It is the One Hellava Ride or O.H.R.

I am going to try and keep my pace that I've been training at. DH who has done several centuries is going to lead and keep me focused. My longest ride is a metric which I completed last year at this time.

Any advice from seasoned century riders?

Any one else in the Michigan area going to do this ride on July 12th?

Would love to know and I thank you all in advance for your wisdom.

Scared and excited- Jen-Jen

[SouthernBelle]

Does your DH normally ride the same pace as you? If he is faster, trying to keep with for 100 miles could be tough.

Don't stay at rest stops too long.

Pace yourself.

Stay fed and hydrated.

Enjoy chats with other riders.

[SandyLS]

This ride is on my to do list but not this year. I've only done one century, The Assenmacher 100 last year. The way I got through that one was to tell myself that I only had to ride 20 miles, and I know I can ride 20 miles! At the rest stops I'd eat then get back on my bike, and well, I only had 20 miles to ride. Repete until you get to the end. Have fun. I hope you are planning to buy the T-shirt. They usually say something like "I rode through Hell and back."

[beccaB]

This is especially for Jen Jen- I live in Napoleon-just down the road from you!! I am not ready for a century, I've just gotten to the point where 40 miles is fairly comfortable. I ride with my husband who has to wait for me a lot. He works out at the wellness center in Chelsea. I spend a lot of time(and money) at that bike shop in Chelsea. Other than riding, I used to run, and I go to Curves and use the machines the way they are meant to be used, so it is a REAL workout. I was proud of myself the other day, for riding alone on napoleon road to go vist a friend. I'm not real fond of riding alone, but it is neccesary sometimes.

[Jen-Jen]

Yes, my husband does keep pace with me...bless him...his normal pace is 20 or so and I tend to slow him down to 14-15 m.p.r. I feel bad that I do it because I am much slower then he is.

He says he doesn't mind because I am out there getting it done. We just got back from a 56 mile ride. It was very good. I finished very strong and we did it in 4 hours.

To beccaB- The ride does have a 62 (metric century) mile option if you feel frisky come July. Would love to meet and ride with you. If your husband and you would like to go out on a training ride sometime feel free to ask!

Thanks

[susan.wells]

I did this one last year and consider it a good route for a first century (if it's the same as last year). Great lunch stop (food tends to dominate my rating of the ride second only to road condition)! I had this on my agenda for this year to repeat but changed my mind to do RAIN again. However, yesterday I did the Pumpkinvine which is 102 miles and I'm having second thoughts about repeating RAIN (ridden twice in the past). Yesterday's ride was difficult because my nutrition plan fell apart experimenting for RAIN. But helluva ride is a very enjoyable. Who knows I may change my mind again and do it instead of RAIN! Confusing year for me.