NCCCCCCHC Century Climbing Challenge Hors Categorie

[Sean Brennan]

North County Cycle Club Century Climbing Challenge Hors Categorie (NCCCCCCHC)

Please join me, substitute ride leader, Sean Brennan, for a Hors Categorie (beyond category) century climbing challenge on June 4th. Our regular ride leader Anthony Scozzari was crazy enough to allow me to create a VERY challenging century with excessive climbing including four of the steepest climbs in San Diego County. The route even includes a very short portion of dirt (approx 1/8-1/4 mile).

This will be an unusually long ride and it will take most of the day, if you choose to complete the entire route.

There will be a cue sheet for a 60 mile option and of course, during the ride I can easily recommend routes to avoid the steep climbs if you prefer.

QUESTION-------7:00 or 7:30 start time, please state your preference

102 miles with 10,000 feet of climbing
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/13342977

[Sean Cunneen]

Sign me UP! I'm good with a 0700 start but I defer to the majority...
Sean C

[Ursula Cunneen]

I will definitely be doing this, Sean.  Thanks for all the work making the route.  7 am is good for me too but will go with majority.

[Sean Brennan]

Thanks Sean and Ursula for your input on the start time.

Given the success of the annual club century starting at 7:00 AM and the overwhelming number of votes on this forum for a 7:00 AM start, I propose a 7:00 AM start for the NCCCCCCHC (Century Climbing Challenge).

[Sean Brennan]

Here is the 63 mile alternative for the Century Climbing Challenge.

We all ride to Fallbrook for our first break, then the longer riders head into De Luz and the 63 milers turn south towards the barn. Cue sheets will be available.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/13371988

[Sean Brennan]

Fellow Hors Categoriers, it looks like, in addition to the route, the weather will also be hors categorie. In other words, hot, hot, hot.

At this point, my plan is to complete the ride however, at mile 30 before dropping into De Luz, there is a 60 mile alternative that heads west to cooler ground. If you/we/us don't think pushing forward on the 102 is a good idea, then you/me/us bail and save it for another day.

Thoughts?

[Sean Brennan]

Thanks to all that participated on this crazy adventure. We had it all, 100 miles, over 10,000 feet of climbing, 100 degrees and a brush fire escape in Temecula. Truly a Hors Categorie event.

We started with approximately 17 crazies, picked up a few along the way, lost some along the way and finished with 5 riders. Then again, the final 5 didn't complete the entire route. The final 5 bailed on the last climb of Coronado Hills/Mt. Whitney. There was no way I was going to make the last climb but the other four (Ursula, Lee, Tony, Nigel) were going strong and could easily have bagged the last peak.

Perhaps, we try again in the fall....................

[Ursula Cunneen]

Definitely would be great to try this ride again in the Fall as you suggested Sean.  Cooler weather would help a great deal in completing the entire NCCCCCCHC.  Thanks for leading and herding us in some extreme conditions.

[Nigel Rodgers]

Thanks Sean . Been reminiscing the last couple of days of what a awesome challenge you provided for all of us . Never ridden up Coronado hills drive, but have ridden down thinking who would ever ride up this. We still got the 100mi 10,000ft mark .
Bravo my friend