Hill/Climbing Training in SW Michigan

CraigT has a good suggestion.  If you have a cross, hybrid or MTB riding the roads of Barry Roubaix would be a decent ride, you don't have to do all your training on a tri/road bike.  Might actually help break things up.  The year I did a full I had to drive 30 to 40 minutes to get to quieter roads for riding making it a chore, not to mention added cost of fuel.  Since then I've picked up a hybrid and do the majority of my training on that when outside and enjoy some dirt road riding.

Another option up north is in the area of Boyne by riding the Mountain Mayhem course.  The maps are on there site and the pavement is marked before every turn and would be easy enough to follow.  Some of the roads on the last part and there "Wall" section are in terrible shape though.  Plenty of hills.

I was there last summer and know exactly the climbs you are talking about. The climb to Inspiration Point is a challenge, but that view over Glenn Lake is well worth it.  I did it once - 5 times is just sadistic! We try and get up there once or twice a year. We have a place to stay for free on Lake Leelenau so I might have to get up there a couple more times this year.  My wife loves it up there so I'm sure she won't complain.

I've never done the SB running trails before though. I might have to make a full training weekend out of it.

Now.... SHHHHHhhhh.... let's try and keep our training Nirvana a secret.

I'm actually doing BRX this weekend for the first time. I rode the course a couple weeks ago and there are definitely some good climbs on the course. I didn't venture too far off the course though to see what else there was.

Good call on not doing everything on a road/tri bike. I'm still getting used to MTB riding and it can be frustrating to see that MPH dip down a lot lower than on a road/tri bike, but in terms of a workout, I am getting as good of a (if not better) workout.

Thanks for the recommendation on Mountain Mayhem.  Looks like some of my best options are going to be to head north to Boyne and Leelenau.

Oh yeah, I forgot you were doing BR this weekend.  Don't fret the MTB vs Tri Bike thing.  Saddle time is saddle time, I just try to approximate what a scheduled ride would take me on my training plan on my tri bike and convert it for my hybrid ride time.  Get the MPH out of your head even though it can be tough.

I rode my tri bike today outside for the first time since crashing last June at the Mayhem ride and was shocked how fast it felt.  I know I can't neglect some saddle time on the tri bike, but love riding my hybrid "Tank Bike" off the beaten path.  Nothing like seeing more deer, wild turkeys, runners, riders over cars buzzing to close to you.  

KN,

Any other "secret" good hill rides right here in GR you like?  I'm in final build weeks for IMKY and have had my final "close call" on Honey Creek/Egypt Valley.  Looking for some good off the beaten path hills.  Recently I've been working Snow Ave, Bewell and Guiford off of Grand River drive, but i'm fearing those might not be enough.

One idea i had was to take my MTB and figure out what gear would match my granny gear on my tri bike and then just going up and down the hill at Cannonsburg ski area.

Any ideas/suggestions would be great!

Brad/IMKY@50

Sadly no secret hills that I am aware of.

There is a decent climb on 68th near the Thornapple River but not really anything near it and the roads are crappy. I still try and hit it if I am riding out that way any ways.

I haven't had any close calls on Egypt Valley myself. I avoid Honey Creek though. I've driven Honey Creek and seen the way others drive it so no way am I biking it. For Egypt Valley I usually do repeats starting at 3 mile, up the big hill to 4 mile and then take 4 mile to the end and then back.  It ends up being about 500' climbing per loop. 4 mile is nice because it dead ends into dirt roads so the only traffic is really people going to the Cannonsburg trails. They are mostly cyclists so they give you plenty of room.

Good luck with your final build weeks!