Anyone doing...?

[Thorn]

We've signed up for the Wright Stuff. It will be our first year doing it. The area is beautiful and the hills more than challenging.

We've done several organized rides in the area (Quadrupedal, Dairyland Dare, Autism Ride), but never a full century. Oh, we've done oodles of centuries elsewhere but never a full 100 with Iowa County hills.

The ride is supposed to be really well run and we've been told that unlike the Dairyland Dare, Horribly Hilly, and Insane Terrain, that the route has healthy stretches of flattish so you can catch your breath. Guess we'll find out on the 5th!

[Trek-chick]

I am doing the Apple Cider Century but may just turn it into a metric century for myself and DH since it's kind of a long drive for us. We are staying at Warren Dunes State Park in our RV all weekend. It seems like a neat place to check out. Should be a fun weekend

[Cait]

I'm riding the Hilly if my school schedule allows. It will be my first year also.

[Bike Chick]

Not doing the Hilly this year but it's a great ride. One note to remember: The food is great but they feed you this wonderful fried chicken, ice cream lunch RIGHT BEFORE A KILLER CLIMB! Ugggghhhh

[pll]

I signed up for the three rides and have duly noted the perils of eating fried chicken and ice cream during the Hilly Hundred.

[pll]

Rode the 64 mile route in the Wright Stuff Century yesterday. It's a beautiful ride, definitely worth the visit to Madison. My lower back was hurting and that, plus the prospect of driving 2.5 hours home, made me decide quickly to ride 64 miles. I definitely need more practice riding hills!

Below are a few snapshots I took:

[Thorn]

Hey! Those pictures just did *not* capture the wind!

I am proud to say I finished the 100...after 4 tries of doing rides in Iowa county, I finally finished a century. My GPS claims 5600' of climbing which makes it "flatter" than the Quadrupedal (a must-do ride, btw), but I don't care. I've conquered my dragon and finished an Iowa County century!

I drove DH bonkers early on in the ride..."No, dear, I can't go faster. I must spin up these early hills. No, I cannot turn on my 'engine' yet--we have too many miles to go!"

When the head wind started up as we headed south for the second time out of the Unity Chapel rest stop I was glad I was keeping an early reserve. Then, as we headed south on the extra loop back to Barneveld, I gave myself a scolding for not doing the 64. I could barely zombie my way back to the hotel and into the shower; if I had been in your shoes---no way would I have tolerated that ride home. You were the wiser.

But, I agree. Good ride. But tough. Iowa county is lovely, but has some amazingly mean hills. Congrats!