First Event of 2011 — Mt Hamilton Challenge
To gauge my progress, I’m attempting (next Saturday April 30) my first serious event of 2011, the Mt Hamilton Challenge, a 125 mile loop with 8300 feet of climbing. So far my longest training ride has been about 45 miles, so it’s a big jump up in miles.
The climbing is half that of the first day of the Everest Challenge and at low altitude, but the mileage is nearly identical (to the first day of EC), so it’s a good early season trial run to check out not just fitness, but body and bike over a longer distance.
I’ll be riding it on my lithe Trek Madone 6.9 SSL and the Lightweight Obermayer wheelset, because there is a lot of relatively flat stuff where aerodynamics can help, and I don’t expect wind issues with aero wheels. One thing: I’m not suffering through a rainy 125 ride; if it rains, I’m skipping it, the ride is also for enjoyment.
My friend Terry of Undiscovered Country Tours and some of his crew will be riding it too.