Do you consider this hilly?

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2009-07-14 3:26 PM

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Hawai'i
Subject: Do you consider this hilly?
There is a race that is
1.2 S
15 B
6 R

The bike and runs are all on the same loop, 3 loops for the bike one loop for the run. Not sure how the distances all match up but that isn't the point. Each loop has an elevation climb of 500 ft.

That makes 1500 ft of biking climb and 500ft of running climb.

Is that Hilly? Does it seem hard? I plan on doing some focused training for it but was just wondering what genpop thought.

Thanks

2009-07-14 3:47 PM
in reply to: #2285033

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Expert
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Subject: RE: Do you consider this hilly?
One man's hill is another man's speed bump. I would say that's a hilly course. I would prefer to long gradual climb to a short steep one but that's just me.
2009-07-14 3:48 PM
in reply to: #2285033

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Expert
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Subject: RE: Do you consider this hilly?

I consider that rolling hills.  I think it would reduce a 20MPH average speed to about 18-19MPH or so.  Just a guess.

2009-07-14 3:55 PM
in reply to: #2285033

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Subject: RE: Do you consider this hilly?
A climb of 500 feet on a 5 mile loop I would consider hilly.
2009-07-14 3:56 PM
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Master
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Tyler, TX
Subject: RE: Do you consider this hilly?

The difficulty level is relative to what you train on, but around here 1,500 feet of climbing over 15 miles would be considered a hilly course, as would 500 over 6 miles.  Not very intimidating if you regularly train on similar hills, though. 

Is this a Big Island race?

Brian

2009-07-14 3:59 PM
in reply to: #2285033

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Subject: RE: Do you consider this hilly?
depends on the steepness of the hills, I've got a 3.2 mile loop by work that is trails, and that's got 500 feet of climbing according to bt route tracker.  It slows me down quite a bit, up down, up down rolling steep hills.  I consider it hilly since it throws off my pace by close to a minute per mile (like 45 seconds or so)

2009-07-14 4:22 PM
in reply to: #2285127

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Hawai'i
Subject: RE: Do you consider this hilly?
famelec - 2009-07-14 10:56 AM

The difficulty level is relative to what you train on, but around here 1,500 feet of climbing over 15 miles would be considered a hilly course, as would 500 over 6 miles.  Not very intimidating if you regularly train on similar hills, though. 

Is this a Big Island race?

Brian



Yeah it is in Kona, a Team Mango race. They are super relaxed and free so they are a great option for me.

I found a loop close to me where I can climb 850 feet over 5 miles, really 850 up for 2.5 miles and 850 down for 2.5 which seems like how the race will play out.
2009-07-14 4:31 PM
in reply to: #2285033

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Subject: RE: Do you consider this hilly?
That's probably hilly.  If it's constant rollers and no flats, then it might not be that challenging, but I do a regular group ride on a loop that's got about 450' of climbing in 5.5 miles and it hits a legitimate 10% grade in two spots, so I'm betting there's at least some tough sections of the course in question.
2009-07-14 6:58 PM
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Subject: RE: Do you consider this hilly?
bigislandfj - 2009-07-14 2:26 PM
That makes 1500 ft of biking climb [over 15 miles]

Purely analyzing the vert per miles, it's a lot. Last Sunday I did a ride that's 118 miles with 13,000 feet of climbing (110 feet per mile), which is considered a very difficult mountain ride. But it's only 10% more climbing per mile than the course you mention. But it's not that simple because rolling vert is far easier than sustained vert. In rolling terrain, much of the vert isn't really climbing because the momentum from the previous downhill or flat helps you up a large percentage of the vert.

In other words, if the 1500' was one big climb, the ride would hurt and be slow. But if it's fifteen 100' rollers it will much easier and faster. If it were 150 ten foot climbs then you'd barely even notice it and you'd probably consider the course "flat".

Edited by breckview 2009-07-14 6:59 PM
2009-07-15 1:55 AM
in reply to: #2285033

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Subject: RE: Do you consider this hilly?
Yeah, what breck said ^^^^.

So you have a course that is 500' in 5 miles. It is obviously 0' elevation change, so you definitely come down 500' before going up again - no worries about a 15 mile 1500' climb (or even a 5 mi 500' climb). My first thought it that's just rolling. But, as breck said, it all depends on the layout. Can you plug it into a mapping program and see the profile? That'll help you figure it out.
2009-07-15 9:48 AM
in reply to: #2285533

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Hawai'i
Subject: RE: Do you consider this hilly?
breckview - 2009-07-14 1:58 PM

bigislandfj - 2009-07-14 2:26 PM
That makes 1500 ft of biking climb [over 15 miles]

Purely analyzing the vert per miles, it's a lot. Last Sunday I did a ride that's 118 miles with 13,000 feet of climbing (110 feet per mile), which is considered a very difficult mountain ride. But it's only 10% more climbing per mile than the course you mention. But it's not that simple because rolling vert is far easier than sustained vert. In rolling terrain, much of the vert isn't really climbing because the momentum from the previous downhill or flat helps you up a large percentage of the vert.

In other words, if the 1500' was one big climb, the ride would hurt and be slow. But if it's fifteen 100' rollers it will much easier and faster. If it were 150 ten foot climbs then you'd barely even notice it and you'd probably consider the course "flat".


It is 500 feet up for 2.5 miles with some steep part some not steep, but continual climb for the first half then a continual down hill for 2.5 miles and repeat. I have mapped it already and mapped a training route that will recreate the load. I am pretty comfortable with how hard it will be for me. Time to get back to training.

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