Horribly Hilly Hundreds 100K - CycleTour

Rode with Lara13. We planned on starting at 6 am. Official start time was at 7 am. By the time we got going I think it was about 6:45. I am really happy with how this went down. Getting out of the parking lot "unofficial start" was pretty sketchy and scary. Tons of traffic coming up the hill and the hill was full of rocks (you carried your bike over some muddy rocky terrain to exit the park) and extremely fast. My hands were tired after just one hill from how hard I was braking! Got to the official start and listened to the "rules" of the race. Off we went. First 8 miles were a breeze. Significant first climb came at mile 8 and it was a bear! I checked my Garmin at the beginning and again at the end and it was 1 mile long. I don't remember how long it took to climb but it was tough. I felt strong and knew that I was ready for the course after how good I was feeling coming out of the hill. My bike was making me happy too. I was worried I'd get smoked on the hills but that wasn't the case. I was worried I'd have to walk a hill and I didn't want to have to do that and I'm happy that in the end I stayed on my bike for all the climbs! The food at the rest stops was AMAZING! What a spread! Grapes, hard boiled eggs, combos, pretzels, peanut butter and jelly spread on half bagels, watermelon, grapes, blueberries, doritos, cheetos, beef jerky, pickles....lots of food! We grabbed food and drink and stopped for maybe 5-7 minutes and got back on the road. Never cramped, never felt naseuous (and it was HOT) and never felt thirsty or hungry. Everything worked out great. The same hill I climbed at mile 8 would be climbed again at the end of the course. Only this time you climb the mile long hill and then turn and climb another 200-300 yards of steeper hill to the finish. It was BRUTAL this time around but I was NOT getting off my bike. Every turn of the crank was labored and my knees didn't like it very much. I zig zagged a bit and watched others get off their bikes and one man even fell off his bike! I can do this I thought! I saw the finish and as people cheered I began to tear up and then hyperventilate a little. Crossed the finish line and and stopped at the Culvers tent for ice water and that calmed my breathing down. I loved this event and next year I plan on doing the 200k!

I really wouldn't have changed much. Maybe push the speed a little more. We were conservative not knowing the course or what to expect from our legs.

ride bike to car and walk back to food tent.


nothing