How many climbs on IMWI bike course?

kathleennelson

After completing the Horribly Hilly Hundreds 200K this past Sat, I am now starting to think about the IMWI bike course according to # of climbs, % of grade and length of climbs.  I have done the course once about 3 years ago and never really paid attention to the above mentioned details.  Does anyone know off hand how many climbs and % of grade there are on IMWI course?

Coach Rich

There are many "hills" but only three that I could consider to be climbs, ie, "yep, that's a climb, sit back and get it done." They are Old Sauk (?), Midtown and Timberlane. All are about 8%. Old Sauk is the longest, maybe a half mile?

I'm sure others can add more detail

Nemo Brauch

After doing TOC I find it hard to call anything on the IMWI course a "climb", but IIRC Rich has it about right- 3 hills that you make a concious decision to gear appropriately and take it easy on the way up. Those 3 "climbs" to me are NOT the biggest challenge with the IMWI course. It's all the other hills that will kill you if you don't pay attention. Like getting pecked to death by ducks, they add up over the course of the day.

kathleennelson

Rich and  Nemo, thanks that helps with the mental prep!

redmann

Posted By Nemo Brauch on 21 Jun 2010 01:22 PM

Like getting pecked to death by ducks, they add up over the course of the day.

That's a new one! I like it better than death my a thousand cuts...ducks...that's funny!

Steven Ford

Posted By Nemo Brauch on 21 Jun 2010 01:22 PM 

Like getting pecked to death by ducks,

Makes me want Duck for dinner.

mattsull

The HHH course is quite a bit more difficult than IMWI. If you did the 200k you can ret easy that IMWI will not seem so bad at all.

mancona

I second what Matt said... even the 100k HHH is harder than IMWI in my opinion from a climbing standpoint. The longest climb on IMWI is shorter than many of the HHH climbs and none of the IMWI climbs are nearly as steep.

Rich got the 3 main climbs. I think timber lane may be a bit steeper but it is shorter than the others. There is also a forth decent climb going into Mt. Horeb on 92, but it is also not that steep. In some sick way I really enjoy that climb because I know that I am done with the never ending false flat/head wind on G and 92 :-) Everything else is really just hills that are over with quickly.

Swoodowrth

My problem at HHH and a factor in me dropping at mile 40 was how scared to death I was on the descents. Honestly I have had right hand cramps for two days from braking. I was just terrified. I was a little scared on IMWI route, especially that one long curvy descent ( I forget the road name) and the last time I did it it had been "resurfaced" with bituminous gravel. I don't know how to get past the fear and just execute.

kathleennelson

Posted By Matt Sullivan on 21 Jun 2010 08:10 PM

The HHH course is quite a bit more difficult than IMWI. If you did the 200k you can ret easy that IMWI will not seem so bad at all.

Matt, your comments make me happy   After HHH, my mind is telling my body it can do anything!

kathleennelson

Posted By Sheryl Woodworth on 21 Jun 2010 11:41 PM

My problem at HHH and a factor in me dropping at mile 40 was how scared to death I was on the descents. Honestly I have had right hand cramps for two days from braking. I was just terrified. I was a little scared on IMWI route, especially that one long curvy descent ( I forget the road name) and the last time I did it it had been "resurfaced" with bituminous gravel. I don't know how to get past the fear and just execute.

 

Very scary indeed!!  Yep me too on the hand soreness....haven't been able to sqeeze stuff or open cans etc....no strength in the right hand.  Hopefully this is a temporary thing.