HI!

Thinking about doing the Hilly Hundred. My preferred bike has a double crank, with a 39x27 as the low. I do reasonably well on the hills around here. Is the Hilly do-able on a double crank?

thanks,
Charles

I would say if you have a minimal level of fitness, yes. I did it on a double (39x23) last year and did not walk up any hills. In fact I dont think any of the hills actually required me to use my lowest gear. Just go at your own pace. There are so many recreational riders out there, many getting off their bikes to walk at the first sign of elevation, that you do not feel you have to overextend yourself to keep up with people (though you may want to for your own sake). It's a fun ride and I plan to do it again this year.

All the hills are fairly short and the real challenge is the steepness along with dodging the walkers and those who suddenly stop right in front of you.

I have done the route several times with a 39x23 and 42x23 and enjoyed myself. A friend did it with a 39x25 while hauling his daughter in a trailer.

Really there are only two or three hills that you will find challenging. If you need to walk those because of your 39x27 you may find that a triple would not be enough to help with them either.

I live in Bloomington, and oddly enough I have never ridden the Hilly. I have only volunteered at a rest stop…hope you like the windmill cookies…with the maple frosting of course. Working at the rest stop, I saw fewer child riders and more high end bikes than I do at most of the organized rides in southern Indiana. But there were still a lot of pot bellies riding those pricey carbon and titanium frames. I asked quite a few of the riders how they had done on the infamous Mt Tabor. (What else are you going to talk about at a rest stop?) While all had prayed for death, on the way up, most of them made it to the top without walking.

My friends and I ride the hills around here all the time. I blow my friends away on the hills but I use my triple on virtually every hill. So that tells you something about our fitness level. However, I rarely see anyone else in Bloomington with a triple. On the bike club rides all we do is ride out in the hilly countryside. And the only riders with triples are me and those that bring their mountain bikes. Everyone else spins a double chainring as they leave me in the dust.

So I say go for it with your double. I am sure you will have fun.
T-shirt

"If you need to walk those because of your 39x27 you may find that a triple would not be enough to help with them either."

I second that. I find very little difference between my lowest triple chainring gear and my lowest middle chainring gear.

Thanks,
T-shirt

"If you need to walk those because of your 39x27 you may find that a triple would not be enough to help with them either."

I second that. I find very little difference between my lowest triple chainring gear and my lowest middle chainring gear.

Thanks,
T-shirt

T-Shirt, thanks for the confirmation. Wasn't trying to make any implications about fitness levels, just didn't want Charles going out and buying a triple just for this ride. We will take the tandem down sometimes and rarely use the granny gear except for the short, steap killers like Mt. Tabor.

Charles, a hint for Mt. Tabor, as you get to the top stay way left. Even though you are excited to be finished and want to make that right turn and get off that dreaded road the inside has a really steep few feet that is many riders demise. A long sweeping turn around the outside is much easier.

We will trek down from northeast Indiana to ride the hills in Bloomington sometimes. The Hilly 100 route is completely different when you are not sharing it with 3,000 of your cycling buddies. Both are fun, but both are way different.

T-Shirt, thanks for volunteering, Hilly 100 is a fun ride because of all the people working.

Steve, the Flatlander

I'm going to do it on a double, and i'm 220 pounds :D

What kind of support is provided on this ride? Do they truck your gear bags for you? Any impressions of the sleeping/camping facilities at the school this year? Thanks.

You camp in the same place both nights. I've never needed the support, but everything else is done well so I'd expect the same. Camping facilities aren't great, but it's better than motelling and getting up early and driving to town and fighting the traffic.



What kind of support is provided on this ride? Do they truck your gear bags for you? Any impressions of the sleeping/camping facilities at the school this year? Thanks.

Here is the Hilly Hundred web site in case anyone is interested: http://www.hillyhundred.org/

MichaelC,

You may want to arrive on Friday and sleep overnight. You will have an easier time finding parking that way. Also you will blissfully miss the Saturday traffic. Elletsville is basically a sliver with one main road, scary traffic, so avoid rush hour as well if possible.

There is an option for indoor sleeping, maybe it costs more; I do not know. Also everyone has access to the showers in the school(s). There will be lots of food and entertainment, including Friday evening. There will be over five thousand cyclists, so they do not tote your gear and sag may be a little slower than at the smaller rides, but they do a pretty good job.

If you go, have a blast!
T-shirt