Hilly Hundred? Need advice

[MyOrbeaDiva07]

Where exactly is the Hilly Hundred? What is the elevation? If it is below 7,000 ft and you have done several Century rides this season, you should be good. Go for it!

[Bike Chick]

It's in southern Indiana.

[Jiffer]

Do you have a computer that tells you elevation gain? If so, then you have a way of knowing how much climbing you have done on any given ride and can compare it to the climbing on this ride. The route profile says almost 4400 feet the first and either 3500 or 4100 the second (I'm very confused about that part!). If I were you, I'd try to do a two day training ride that involves around 60-75% or more of the distance and climbing that is on this ride. I'd be more focused on the climbing than the distance. Work up to it. Do some shorter climbs in the coming weeks.

I have found it can be quite rewarding to push yourself and see what you can accomplish. The most I had climbed as of the middle of May was 4,500 feet .. about 3 times since January. With the encouragement of my insane climber husband, I embarked on Heartbreak Hundred, a century with 8500 feet of climbing. So I almost doubled the climbing. It hurt. It was really hard. I was really slow. But I did it. And I'm so proud of myself for accomplishing it.

I think if you do some training rides with hills as a focus, you'll know within a couple of weeks of your event if it's something you are ready for. If you can figure out what the grades are like in the event and simulate the hardest climb(s), that would be great training.

I'm guessing you can do it.

[HoosierGiant]

Do you have a computer that tells you elevation gain? If so, then you have a way of knowing how much climbing you have done on any given ride and can compare it to the climbing on this ride. The route profile says almost 4400 feet the first and either 3500 or 4100 the second (I'm very confused about that part!). If I were you, I'd try to do a two day training ride that involves around 60-75% or more of the distance and climbing that is on this ride. I'd be more focused on the climbing than the distance.

I think if you do some training rides with hills as a focus, you'll know within a couple of weeks of your event if it's something you are ready for. If you can figure out what the grades are like in the event and simulate the hardest climb(s), that would be great training.

Excellent advice. Spot on!!

We have mapped out several hill rides on 'our' side of the state that mimic the Hilly as far as length, gradient, and number/type of hills. We ride thousands of miles per year, but there's no substitute for hill training. For me, it's a mental thing -- nothing says "Suck it up!" quite like climbing for a mile, rounding a curve or cresting what you mistakenly thought was the top, only to realize that thare's still more snarly climbing to do.

[Miranda]

Excellent advice. Spot on!!

We have mapped out several hill rides on 'our' side of the state that mimic the Hilly as far as length, gradient, and number/type of hills. We ride thousands of miles per year, but there's no substitute for hill training. For me, it's a mental thing -- nothing says "Suck it up!" quite like climbing for a mile, rounding a curve or cresting what you mistakenly thought was the top, only to realize that thare's still more snarly climbing to do.

That's one of the best hill climb challenge / wording (whatever I am trying to spit out here lol) descriptions I have ever heard. Love it!

Getting to the top of a hard hill is a nice life stress release too. Sometimes when the rest of life is crazy outta control... something about that sense of accomplishemnt--overcoming what you thought you might not be able to... is satisfying and calming. Not that the average non-cycling population might see it this way...

OKAAAYYY... back to on topic post to this thread lol.

[Bike Chick]

Amen! There is one on the Hilly Hundred that will do that for you.......Mt. Tabor I think they call it. What a confidence builder! It's the toughest climb of the bunch and just when you get to the top there is a turn and another pitch. When you make it you just want to get off your bike and say "WoooHoooo" but instead you just play it cool and keep riding while you are smiling inside to yourself. My how we like to suffer!

[Bike Chick]

Just wondering if you did the Hilly Hundred, Chicagogal.

[WindingRoad]

You know I'm curious. I did the Hilly this year and I did it on my Bianchi for the first time. It has a triple so I'm thinking no problem I had already done it on the Lemond that is a compact double. So I'm creeping up Mount Tabor and thinking dang this seems just as hard as the freaking Lemond what gives? I made it up (woo hoo!) Tabor and I am waiting for my boyfriend (give him a break he took a nasty spill mountain biking and now has a dislocated finger and is riding nearly one handed). I'm looking at my rear cogs while I'm waiting and I notice its a 9 not a 10. Would that make climbing harder?

[indysteel]

You know I'm curious. I did the Hilly this year and I did it on my Bianchi for the first time. It has a triple so I'm thinking no problem I had already done it on the Lemond that is a compact double. So I'm creeping up Mount Tabor and thinking dang this seems just as hard as the freaking Lemond what gives? I made it up (woo hoo!) Tabor and I am waiting for my boyfriend (give him a break he took a nasty spill mountain biking and now has a dislocated finger and is riding nearly one handed). I'm looking at my rear cogs while I'm waiting and I notice its a 9 not a 10. Would that make climbing harder?

The fact that it's a 9-speed cog, rather than a 10-speed cog, in itself won't make climbing harder. By the same token, a triple, rather than a compact, doesn't in itself make climbing easier. The size of the cogs and the chainrings, taken together, is ultimately the determining factor. Keep in mind, too, that Mt. Tabor is just a tough climb. Short of mountain gearing, it's not going to be "easy."

If you want to compare the gearing on both bikes, find out the size of your cogs and chainrings and enter them on Sheldon Brown's gear calculator.

[Bike Chick]

Making it up Mt. Tabor is an accomplishment no matter what gearing you have! It's a real booger! Good job.

I rode a compact double at the Hilly 2 years ago and made it up Mt. Tabor--just barely. I was envious of the folks that had triples but it sounds like that doesn't always make it easier.