Monday, November 22, 2010

Annual Horrible Hundred Cycling Ride Review 2010

Annual Horrible Hundred Cycling Ride Review 2010


Source
Official Photos of the Event

Photos Take of Me at the Event
 
Yesterday was the Annual Horrible Hundred Cycling Ride in Clermont FL.  Clermont is “THE” cycling area in FL.  There are ton of challenging hills and safe places to ride.  This is location where the hills have names (see this post). 

The weather for the ride was wonderful.  The air temperature was in the 70s and there was a slight overcast so the Florida sun was not beating down on you.  At some points during the ride there was slight misting rain but not anything that would get you wet.  On some parts of the ride the wind did start to kick up to about 12 to 15 mph but luckily this was mostly on the flats.


So I started off the ride planning to do the 70 miler with my buddy Angel but at around mile 15 he started talking to a friend and got lost in the crowd.  I stopped and waited for him at the first swag station and he did not show up.  At that point I was by myself and feeling good so I decided to chance and see how I felt at the 100 mile turn off.

 I felt great at the 100 mile turn off so I decided to push myself.  I joined up with a cycling team called “Butterbean.”  I rode with them for about 30 miles before I joined up with another group of cyclist that I rode with from mile 70 – 100.   These riders were great and fun people.  I hope to ride with them again.  They were going to email me some pictures but I think the lady got my email incorrect.  If I get those pictures I will post them soon.  It was interesting because one of the riders lives about 2 blocks from my house and I have never seen her riding.

To quote my friend Angel “whoever designed this course was evil.”  It included every major hill in the area and the hardest part is they all occur in the last 30 miles.  It was definitely a tough course but I surprised myself.  I even had to do the Buckhill 1.5 times because I missed my turn. 

There were approximately 5 swag stops placed about every 25 miles.  They were well stocked with goodies (peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, peanut butter & honey sandwiches, various chips, M&Ms, chocolates, water, Gator-aid, shot blocks, nuts, oranges, dried fruit, etc).  The SWAG stops where well organized and the volunteers were friendly and fast.  The only complaint is they ran out of water on the 2nd SWAG stop but they soon fixed the issue as the truck came carrying more water.

The cycling route was very safe.  The traffic on the roads was very light and the route keeps you off most major roads.  Every major intersection for the first 40 miles was controlled by police officers.  It may have been this way for the entire ride if you were doing the 35 or 70 but for the century the number officers soon dropped to zero.  But I kind of expected this because a century takes most of the day to complete and I do not expect police to stay out the long.

The SWAG vehicles were GREAT and they were EVERYWHERE.  About every 10 minutes for the entire ride I would see a SWAG vehicle drive by and check on the riders.  There was also someone at every SWAG stop to work on your bike if you need it.  Awesome job here.

There was a small expo at the event with about 10  to 15 vendors selling items.  David’s World came out and was doing free bike tune-ups before the race.

The race was packed with riders.  I believe they announced they had over 2000 cyclists attending the event.

I felt strong the whole ride and I never got off my bike on any of the hills.  Even more surprising I feel fine today.  My legs are a little stiff and my neck is a little sore but overall I feel good.

I would grade the ride an A.  It was well ran and supported.  The SWAG stops and vehicles were great.

This was my very first century and I had to pick Florida’s hardest century.  I rode strong and felt great on the ride.  It was one of the best sporting events of my life.   I am definitely proud of my accomplishment and hard work. 

Ride Elevation Chart (Click to Enlarge)

NOTE 1: I saw the Humble Triathlete at David’s World at the Friday registration.  Unfortunately, I was not able to talk to her because I was driving past her.  I honked my horn and yelled hello.  I saw where on the day of the ride but she was getting out of her car and parking the car after the race started on about mile 3.  I yelled hello at her and she saw me. Shirley if your read this what happened.  Did you do the race?

NOTE 2:   I saw my cycling computer hit 43 mph on one of the down hills.  It was AWESOME!!

13 comments:

  1. Although I'm not a cyclist, after you described the swag stops, I may give it a try. The water stops for us runners have: water, Gatorade, and sometimes orange slices! What the heck! :)

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  2. Ok, I know there are hills in Florida, but I always have a hard time imagining them--that pic makes it real! Great job.

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  3. @MissZippy: I updated the post with the century evaluation chart. They not mountains but they are tough climbs.

    @Shannon: You are not doing the right runs. Some of the runs I have done were fantastically stocked but most are poor like you have said. Try trail runs they seem to be better stocked. If you are in FL try the Ocala Marathon or the Croom Fools Run. Both of these races I have reviewed. You can see the reviews by clicking on the race in the COMPLETED RACES tab.

    Kevin

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  4. Nice job on the ride!! It's awesome that it was so well organized...it really makes a difference on long rides!

    P.S. I am sooooo sorry that I got the giveaway thing wrong on my blog. I have NO idea what I was thinking. And, you're right, your name and blog name is in the picture. Duh! I fixed it though, so from here on out it will have the right info on it!

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  5. @Aimee I thought it was funny. Save the cartoon. It will be worth a fortune when I win Kona, Boston and the Tour de France. :-)

    Kevin

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  6. oh my - that is one helluva race indeed!!!! :)

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  7. So Here you are!! Im glad youre alive and nothing hurt today. Me? My knees are killing me, the only thing that doesnt hurt is those things I dont have in my body! After all I felt pretty good during the ride and was fun going downhill.
    See u when we get lost again as usual.

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  8. That elevation chart scares me... Just wanted to make that clear!

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  9. To be validated as a true cyclist, the horrible hundred is a must. Once you have completed any of the routes (more specifically the 100), you can stand tall and be proud. Consider yourself validated; you're now official.

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  10. @Louis: Thank you for the compliment. I have only been riding for 6 months and I can hang with the 20mph B+ riders and complete the Horrible Hundred Century. I am proud of my hard work but I will not brag or bloat. I hate those types of riders :-)

    Kevin

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  11. Who the flip even invents a hill like that? Seriously? Whoever made that hill needs a smack!

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  12. Looks like a fun ride. I've hit 42 mph before on a 2 mile downhill and it was amazing!

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