The Day After the Horrible Hundred

Monday November 16th

Nevada ( Laura) and I had planned to do another ride the day after the event if we had enough left in our legs.   It would be a short ride as I needed to get on the road and head back home after being away for three days.

Our goal was to climb Sugarloaf Mountain.  The hard way has a 13% climb but is shorter than the more gentle climb in the opposite direction.  We were brave and decided to climb up the steeper side.

This is the hard climb at 13%.  It was the best shot I could get.....although far away from the start of the climb....due to sun glare.

We both made it to the top without having to walk.......woohoo!

At the top there is a resident who puts out water for cyclists.  Although he is not a rider he makes sure that water container is out there every day.  The only thing he asks is if the container is empty to walk around the side of the house and refill it.   What a nice person.

The sign points to the water container and says.....Help yourself.

He doesn't require it but there is box for donations to the Wounded Warriors.  So far since July he has raised $1,400. 

We finished with 24 miles and 1,800 ft of climbing.   Not bad for a short ride.  When in Clermont you have to do hills!

The Horrible Hundred

Sunday November 15th

This is a ride not to miss.  It's in central Florida and has hills.   Yes.....you heard me right....hills in Florida!  I had to come and see it and ride it for myself.

This is a very organized ride with lots of vendors on both Saturday and Sunday and the ability to pick up your registration materials on Saturday if you pre-register.  There are 35...really 38....70....really 75 and 100 mile rides in the hills.  This is a challenging   ride with lots of elevation and is hosted by the Florida Freewheelers out of Waterfront Park in Clermont.

Nevada Laura...my riding buddy from NJ who is now staying in Florida.... and I did the 38 mile ride and finished with 2,780 feet of climbing.

The 38 mile route complete with elevation and direction of the ride.  First time I have ever seen a cue sheet with the direction of the ride!

My ride number

They usually have a mass start but they changed that this year.  Thank goodness.  They had 1,900 pre-registered riders.


Each of the rest stops had a theme.  Unfortunately I was only able to experience one since Nevada and I did the shorter ride.  The theme for this ride was a Biker Bar.  70's music in the background and volunteers dressed up as motorcylists with tattooed arms....very clever!

The rest stop was at the Green Mountain Scenic Overlook & Trailhead

A built in bike pump near the bathrooms.  How convenient.

My riding buddy!!



There was one special rider at this rest stop.  He was paralzyed and was riding with hand cranks.  I will think twice again before complaining about doing a hill.  Kudos to him!

Here is a Florida hill.

Five miles from the finish I had a flat....the third one in three weeks. Ugh....  One of the gals behind me worked at the bike shop and took my back tire off and found a metal wire in the tire which she couldn't get it out so they called the sag.  However, three guys came by and one of the guys, Joe, was determined to get that piece out of the tire and get me back on the road which he did.  I was able to finish the ride thanks to Joe I sent the sag on its way.....without me.  People are so nice here....and very helpful. 

The finish line.

Once back I was able to get the one of the guys from the Florida Freewheelers....sponsors of the ride....to change the front tire.   Yes....I said the front tire.  Back tire was in better condition than the back....there was bubbling in the front tire,,,and a piece missing on the sidewall.... which required it to be changed.  Thank you to Chris who changed it for me!


I highly recommend this ride to anyone considering a visit to Central Florida.  Clermont is approximately 45 minutes from Disney.  It's a cyclist's paradise for anyone who enjoys riding in the hills.

Veteran's Day Ride

Sunday November 8th

It's been a while since I blogged.  It's been a adjustment to re-entry into the Florida life....and cycling.  It's been hot......hotter than it should be for this time of year and an adjustment to flat riding and pace lines.

Today there was an organized event for Veteran's.  Instead of going to a breakfast which seems a popular option here I decided to ride my bike in honor of them.  The ride was escorted in the front by a hummer and a police car in the rear.  We rode along US 41 and occupied one full lane.  Seventy eager faces willing to ride in the heat of the day for 55 miles at a pace of 20-22 mph.  Scary for sure....at least for me.  However, you just can't believe the draft you get from a hummer.....

The Southwest Florida cycling club.....in our new jerseys and shorts.   The dog in the front belonged to a paratrooper who provided one of the sag vehicles.  This dog was rescued from dog fighting in Immokalee, FL years ago and had only three legs but could run with the best of them....and such a happy pup   His name was Jake and we adopted him as our mascot for the day.

The dog and his sag wagon that was provided for us.

At the start of the ride getting ready but stopping for a quick photo.

The end of the ride rest stop.  We had hamburgers and hot dogs to go with the beer or soda.

The regular menu.


We also had a stop at mile 24 and it was manned by the Tour de Cure members.  Well stocked rest stop complete with smiling faces.  Unfortunately it was a quick stop so I wasn't able to get a photo.