Horsey Hundred

[indysteel]

Are any TEers doing the HH this year? My plans to ride in North Carolina over the Memorial Day weekend have regrettably fallen through and I've just decided to the HH with a friend. I'm disappointed about the N.C. trip, but the HH should be fun. We're staying in the dorms. If anyone else is going to be there, maybe we can plan to meet up. This will be my first time at the ride.

[makbike]

I'll be there! I plan on riding the century on Saturday and am undecided about what I'll ride on Sunday. I'm going to commute from my home (about 45 minutes outside of Georgetown) to avoid having to board my dogs over the long weekend. They love the going to the kennel but it will cheaper to drive than pay to board them for 4 days.

If you want to meet let me know.

[Geonz]

Thanks for the heads up! I've been trying to remember why I was gone for Memorial Day weekend ... but prob'ly I won't have a car by then and it's 300 miles away.

[Mr. Bloom]

Half the silver's don't know yet (I think), but we'd like to try...

We're doing the Harmonie Hundred this weekend in New Harmony Indiana

[indysteel]

I'm excited that some TEers will be there. Geonz--I hope you can find a ride!

This will be my first Century, so I'm a little nervous about it. I've been doing between 175 and 215 miles a week for the past month, and I've got some 70-ish mile rides under my belt for the year, but that's it. It's so hard to work on hills in Indiana. I did a hilly ride yesterday in Southern Indiana, but it was mostly steep stuff and not rollers. Anyway, I'm hoping to survive. Any pointers would be appreciated!

If all of you would like to meet up, either in the morning on Saturday or in the afternoon after the ride is over, perhaps one of you who's been there before could pick an easy spot to find for us to gather at a designated time. Or if you have any other suggestions.....

Kate

[silver]

Half the silver's don't know yet (I think), but we'd like to try...

We're doing the Harmonie Hundred this weekend in New Harmony Indiana

Yes, I'd like to give this one a try at least for Saturday.

[Mr. Bloom]

I'm hoping to survive. Any pointers would be appreciated!

Sounds like you're ready!!

[Mr. Bloom]

Silver and I are interested in shooting for this. The question is what route we should shoot for. It would be a stretch for me to do the century, but the website is silent on the route, but I'd like to shoot for my first century...

Is it a route that allows for a cut-off if I don't think I can go all the way? Is there a preferable option? Does the Keeneland route involve actually riding on the track?

[Kathi]

I'm excited that some TEers will be there. Geonz--I hope you can find a ride!

This will be my first Century, so I'm a little nervous about it. I've been doing between 175 and 215 miles a week for the past month, and I've got some 70-ish mile rides under my belt for the year, but that's it. It's so hard to work on hills in Indiana. I did a hilly ride yesterday in Southern Indiana, but it was mostly steep stuff and not rollers. Anyway, I'm hoping to survive. Any pointers would be appreciated!

If all of you would like to meet up, either in the morning on Saturday or in the afternoon after the ride is over, perhaps one of you who's been there before could pick an easy spot to find for us to gather at a designated time. Or if you have any other suggestions.....

Kate

Wow, you chose a tough 1st century. The Horsey century is not an easy one but it sounds like you're well trained.

Be sure to study the Q sheets the night before and take them with you in case you need to bail off the century route. It's easy to change to a different route, especially at the lunch stop.

I used to ride rollers alot in the Cincy area so my advice is to spin down them, do not coast. This helps to keep your momentum up and keeps your muscles from stiffening up. On the uphill change gears early, don't wait until you lose speed to shift.

We enjoyed staying at the dorms, easy access to food and the Bluegrass band on Sat. night was always enjoyable to listen to. Friday night is a little noisy since everyone is checking in but Sat night everyone crashes early.

The Sunday ride is one of the most beautiful rides I've ever done. Lots of old stone fences and it is a little flatter.

Be sure to check the weather forecast as it seems to rain on one of the days.

The sag stops are well stocked. I carry energy bars and Accelerade with me as I often bonked 2 miles from the sag stop.

This is one of my favorite rides and really miss doing it. However, I am doing Ride the Rockies 2 weeks later and need my training time here, otherwise, I would be there too.

If you need an easier century the Hope Ride in Hope, Indiana (Sept.), the Flat Fifty Plus in Decatur, Ind. (June) or the Huffman in Dayton, Ohio (May 20th) are all good centuries. I did the Hope century after I had completed a 300+ week tour on TRIRi. It was a little windy but an easy century.

[indysteel]

Kathi, thanks so much for all the information. It's going to be tough, but short of really bad heat (which I know is a possibility) I think I can do it, especially if I eat and drink smart and stretch every 25 miles or so. Do you change your food routine when doing a century? I tend to stick to a mixture of real food (bananas, cookies and trail mixes mostly) and Clif Blocks. I drink CytoMax Energy drink which my stomach tolerates pretty well. I'm going to add something salty into the mix too or add some extra salt to the CytoMax, especially if it's hot. Do you find that you need to resort to gels for longer rides?

Frankly, I'm a little more worried about my friend. She hasn't been able to get as much time in the saddle, although she's in good shape overall. Plus, she hates showing any sign of what she would perceive as "weakness" where as I'm willing to cry uncle if that's what my body is telling me to do. But she's an adult....

When you say that Sunday's ride is pretty, were you referring to any particular route?

Thanks for the help. And have a great ride in the Rockies!

[Kathi]

The Sunday route is to Paris, Ky. I did it 2 years ago when I was there. I remembered the route from years ago, then they stopped doing it because of traffic. I think all the routes go that direction. As I recall I did the 50

I make sure I have enough Accelerade with me and carry a peanut butter sandwich and energy bars. The food stops are very well stocked and well spaced but I always make sure I have enough food with me.

The breakfast at the college is plentiful but having protein in the morning helps to keep me from bonking. Bacon and eggs doesn't do it for me so I now carry a protein drink when I'm on tour. I mix it with milk and also have something like French toast and fruit and I usually make it until lunch.

I carry my Accelerade, extra servings in baggies, in my backpack and water in my bike bottle.

Also, don't water down your Cytomax as it is formulated to be full strength.

Stretching every 25 miles is a good idea. On Candisc it was so windy that I needed to stretch about every 5 miles. I don't think I would have made the 65miles that day without stretching.

Enjoy!

[Mr. Bloom]

Next week's weather is currently forecast at 40% chance of isolated T-storms and temp in the high 70's. Guess that means it can go either way...

Unless the weather fprecast gets really bad and/or our health deteriorates, I think we're still going to go for it.

[makbike]

Can we see a show of hands of those participanting next weekend in the Horsey Hundred? I know for certain I will be riding Saturday (most likely the century) and will ride one of the routes Sunday but not certain which one at this point (will need to wait to see how my legs/back/pelvis feel on Sunday).

I know everyone will need to ride at their own pace but would any TE members like to start the ride on Saturday together?

Keeping my fingers crossed this beautiful weather we have been blessed with continues.

[Mr. Bloom]

Silver and I would love that. I'd like to shoot for the century (and would benefit from a group to help me pace myself)...Silver can do a century, but is concerned if she'll be recuperated enough by next week.

We'll not be riding on Sunday...too complicated with teenagers.

Our only contingency is:
- we've not registered and this ride has limited slots
- the weather (which looks promising...)

[indysteel]

I'll be there with my friend Tracy. We plan--weather permitting--to do the Century on Saturday and are playing Sunday by ear. It will depend on how we feel.

I'd love to meet up at some point. I haven't talked to my friend about when we're starting Saturday's ride. My guess it will be early rather than later. Is there a meeting place around where they serve breakfast that might work.

Otherwise, maybe we can plan on meeting after the ride at the ice cream social.