This is one of my favorite rides. I actually ride a training course that is very similar to this ride but is little bit harder. I didn't get to ride that training course this year so I was a little apprehensive about how I would do going into this. I was pleased with my result. I never walked one hill. I made I stopped at every rest stop and took in fluids and rested for atleast 10 minutes. I rode my Surly Long Haul Trucker and wore my cycling sandals. I had one girl call me her hero because I was wearing the sandals. Lots of positive comments about the Surly.

I will never understand why people try to ride their asses off when participating in this ride. It is a challenge ride, not a race. So many people blew by me peddaling as fast as they can only to be passed by me on the hills because they are walking up. Tsk Tsk Tsk, poor saps.

This ride is well organized with plenty of rest and water stops. I would encourage anyone to ride it. If you can't get in and want to ride a similar route let me know and I will share my training route with you.

Oh, and I did the 100k instead of the 200k. With the heat and all I didn't want to push it so I took the easy way out.