D2R2

[michaelcole]

So... I was talking about this ride last night with Steen and Hamlet over a couple of Fat Turkey's at JHBH.
I was trying to convince Hamlet that he would love the ride (if it didn't kill him) and plant the seed for next year's event.
I couldn't remember the details very well so this morning I did some research and found a description written by the course designer. If I had read this a few years ago before doing the ride for the first time, I doubt that Bauer could have convinced me to do it.
Some quotes:
Most avid riders should do the 100K because it takes as long as 100 miles on pavement. If you've been riding centuries this summer, then the D2R2 100K is for you; don't choose the 100-mile thinking the 100K is too short. If you have not been doing century rides, then please consider our 40-mile ride

The D2R2 100-mile is another beast. It rides like 180 miles. If you're not doing 8-hour training rides with at least 10,000 feet of climbing on steep grades, then you will not be prepared for the 100-mile event. And no matter what your fitness is, this course will get the better of you.

Note that the course record - set by a Cat. 1 roadie on a cool, overcast day - is 14 mph (8-1/4 hours). Don't tell your spouse that you're going to ride 7 hours and be home in time for dinner, because you will get yourself in trouble.

The 100-mile would be the hardest ride many people have ever done, even if the whole course were paved. Put into numbers, D2R2's 116 miles with over 16,500 feet of climbing is longer and hillier than a Tour de France mountain stage, or more climbing than either two ascents of Mt. Evans or three ascents of Mt. Washington. And 80 miles of D2R2 are dirt! By way of comparison, the legendary cobblestones of Paris-Roubaix total only 30 miles of level ground. D2R2's signature climbs are so gravelly and steep that you can't stand up without losing traction. Most riders have to walk at least one hill, and some just fall over on the relentless grades.

While we are loathe to join the legions of event promoters boasting about the rigors of their course, we had to make this sort of disclaimer because we've run into problems downplaying the hardships and talking about the scenery. D2R2 is one of the hardest century rides in the world. One California promoter claims "the hardest 200K in America" on a paved course with 3000 feet less climbing than D2R2. Don't think that we're overstating the difficulties, because we're not.

Who's in for next year?? I'm planning on the 100k

[reeegan]

Are you going to ride your cross bike?

Another Quote:
"Bicycles should be equipped with triple gearing and slightly wider tires (i.e. 25c-32c). Road conditions range from smooth clay to stony washout and puddles. Seven key climbs reach 1400-2000' elevation, and 16 smaller pitches exceed 13% gradient, including a 25% wall. At mile 90, riders will tackle the hidden back side of the lovely Patten Hill District: starting at 20% grade, the road narrows to a bumpy 8' lane and ascends 960 feet vertical in 1.5 miles to a grand overlook toward Vermont."

[Rob]

Don't do it!
Just say NO

[steen]

I've done the 100k for the last 3 years. I wouldn't miss it for the world. Sandy has created a marvelous route where you are competing against the geography and not an individual. This has become a tradition for me and another friend from Oregon - we meet up, camp out and do the ride then recover with some beers.
Below is a great article, please don't be dissuaded because it's a Rapha link. It does not cost 100000 dollars to read
Last year after the ride I got to go to Blunt Park in Springfield - just down the road and do the 1st cx race too!
Anyone at Colin's race yesterday remember the shark suit racer David. He rode from Cambridge to Greenfield, then rode the looong D2R2 version and capped it off with riding in Blunt park cx the next day!
One last note - you'll see a full gamut of bikes on this ride Rivendell elves, mt bikes, cx bikes and new and classic road machines.

Quote from Sandy:
"In 2005, D2R2 was a weekly training ride in my preparation for Boston-Montreal-Boston, something to make Middlebury Gap feel familiar with 500 miles in my legs. You can call it epic just based on the numbers. At 112 miles with 16,500 feet of climbing, 70% on dirt, D2R2 is a bit longer than an Alpine stage of the Tour de France, with more climbing, a lot more steep pitches, and more than twice as much rough stuff as Paris-Roubaix"
That quote alone keeps me away from the long ride - the 100k feels like and takes as much time as a regular century.

Full article:
http://www.rapha.cc/continental/index.php?page=654

[RPerson]

The full was a total beatdown. I think Jorge and I came in about 10 minutes before the time cutoff. That said, I'd do it again.

[michaelcole]

I would ride the cross bike again. It was perfect last time. A couple of hills might have deserved a granny gear but I survived. No need for full tread cross tires. Ritchey speed-max would be good or michelin Jets.

There are several hills that resemble #9 Hill in Fayston, VT (steep with hard packed dirt) and several more that are more loose like the wall at Battenkill. Some roads aren't roads at all but closer to singletrack or old stream beds.
If you want to ride the road bike, I would put mountain pedals on for the inevitable portage.

Currently in training for the 100k.

[steen]

This is great! I have been camping the last two years, so keep that in mind - cuz I do bring a great array of growlers...
Also, a great training "ride" for this is the 24 hours of GG. I believe it's around 1k of climbing per lap. A perfect tune up & same vibe.
Hope have a good contingent at both events in 09 for riding and camping.

[steen]

Brad,
Generally it's held in late August. Last year it was on the 23rd.

http://www.franklinlandtrust.org/randonee.htm

[steen]

Yeah, GG is the 8-9 in 2009. Ample recovery time to do D2R2 then Blunt park on Sunday.
Wow, a mt bike race, "road" ride and c/x race in one post!

[Rob]

Speaking of HOGG, we going back right? that was a great time

[RPerson]

I've already been saying things like "blah blah blah next year at Great Glen" around home and haven't received the look of death yet so I'm planning on it. Would love to do the full D2R2 again, but I have to be careful if I want to pull off another 17 race CX season

[steen]

I definitely want to live high on the HOGG again.

[taudep]

I wanna get in on this HOGG action.

[steen]

All further HOGG talk should probably be moved to the Mt Bike section.
However I'm all for a HOGG thread!

[chindogu]

HOGG is on the permanent cycling calendar. ALL HAIL HOGG!