Blue Ridge Bicycle Club's Hilly Hellacious Hundred August 24, 2003 Cane Creek Cycling Components Fletcher, NC (south of Asheville) 100.5 miles 7613 cumulative elevation gain by Joel Froese Rider # 313

I have not written a century report for some time now, and specifically, I have neglected to write about Blue Ridge Bicycle Club’s annual Hilly Hellacious Hundred although I have ridden it 5 times now. Therefore I am now rectifying both oversights.

This year has again been less than ideal for me as far as training goes. Prior to 2002, my brother, Micah and friend Brad, had planned numerous mountain trips throughout August and September; I was just told when and where to meet. This year I was on my own, so although I had not been to the mountains since the (Fabulous) 4th of July (Metric Century), I ate an early dinner and hit the sack Saturday. I awoke at 5:00am and headed out the door. I was on the road a few minutes later and thought I had plenty of time. However, as I reach Spartanburg, I noticed it would be 7:00am by the time I got the to North Carolina border. It seemed this would be OK since the direction said to take exit 9, which I assume was 9 miles from the border—it was in fact over 30 miles from the border and 9 miles from the terminus of I-26 in Ashville.

Note to self and to anyone coming from Spartanburg, Columbia, and points south: do not follow driving direction from BRBC, instead take exit 13 and turn right on Highway 25. Continue north for several miles, and then turn right on Cane Creek Road. Continue until you see cyclist warming up. Also, allow for at least 3 hours of travel time from Columbia!

I arrived at the intersection of Cane Creek Road and Old Airport Road to see the century riders leaving. I rushed to park my car, get on my bike, get my registration packet, and pin my rider number to my jersey only to see the metric century riders leave at 7:45am. However, I was able to catch tail end of the group within the first half-mile. The first 7 miles are relatively flat and since I was fresh and strong, I quickly threaded my way to the front of the metric century group before getting to Bear Wallow Mountain, the toughest climb of the day.

Prior to 2001, the route went clockwise and Bear Wallow Mountain was near the end of the ride (which was a rude surprise during my first HHH in 1998). In the two previous years I had been near the front of the century group with some of the fastest and strongest riders; despite my most strenuous efforts I would always get dropped here. However, this year I was working my way up from behind, passing a nearly constant steam of riders. This is great for the self-esteem even though I wasn’t pushing myself as hard as before (I recall that my heart felt like it was going to explode last year on this climb.)

I did not fail to notice the beautiful morning developing during this grueling climb. Rays of sunlight breaking through the leafy canopy were traced on the morning fog. And in the next leg through the apple country of Henderson County it is hard to miss the fruit-laden apple trees lining both sides of the road. Ripe apples actually hang tantalizingly close to the road tempting cyclists to stop.

I found a small group of cyclist to work with for a while, but after passing up the first rest stop I picked up speed going down Highway 64 toward Bat Cave and rode on my own. However, the fun really started after the right turn onto Highway 64/74 where the metric century splits off. From this point one races down the Hickory Nut Gorge alongside the cascading Broad River to the town of Chimney Rock. The mountains rise up on either side until the namesake Chimney Rock is prominently visible high on the mountain ridge on the right. At the same time the route passes through the tourist section of Chimney Rock. Sadly, now you can just about hold your breath through town, prior to 2001 this point was later in the day and uphill thus more interaction with spectators.

Lake Lure is nestled at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and consists of 4 narrow arms stretching in the cardinal directions. The route visits all four starting with the western-most point where the Broad River flows in. Then it curves up and away from the lake only to come right back to the southernmost point marked by large beaches and the Bottomless Pools; this is also where Highway 9 forks off (and thankfully a lot of the traffic.) Then it’s up and down again to the eastern side and a ride over the narrow dam that holds back the lake; some cyclists stopped here to peer over the wall to the hydroelectric plant a hundred feet below. The rest of the way to the northern extreme consisted of a winding, tree-shrouded, rural/residential road that constantly dipped up and down, toward and away from the lake—a really nice area.

Along the way I did see a few jerseys from Columbia-area bike shops but did not recognize anyone except Edison Dupree, who I rode with for little while in this area. In the past there had usually been at least some small contingent from either Earthfare or Outspokin, but none today; I think this was due to the fact you could not register the day of the event.

After a quick stop at second rest stop, it was on to Bill’s Creek Community. HHH has this section in common with The Assault on Mt. Mitchell, and Bill’s Hill is the first hard climb of that event, separating out weaker members of the peleton (usually including me). At this point in the day my initial energy and excitement had waned; for the first time others began to pass me. Also, the route is less scenic—just miles of wide-open highway.

As in past years, the distance before the climb back into the mountains seemed interminable, but after another brief respite at the third rest stop, I settled into climbing mode up the winding, canopied Old Fort/ Bat Cave Road. I was looking for the house with 20-30 bird feeder hanging around it that marked the top of the climb, but never noticed it; I don’t know if the bird feeder are gone or if I just missed it. By the time I was back to Highway 9 and the metric century I was ready for a break, but the organizers had moved the fourth rest stop a mile and a half up the road.

By now I was really feeling weak. Watching my computer, every mile seemed to take forever. I grind on, but even after the remaining big climbs are gone, I can’t seem to maintain 14 MPH on the flat sections. I haven’t technically bonked, but my body is just not used to the prolonged effort. It has been nearly a year since I had ridden a century; I haven’t even ridden 60 miles on any one day since the 4th of July. At this point I’m not just counting down the miles, but also the turns, and the landmarks: going through the fire station parking lot (fifth rest stop—did not stop, waiting for real food at end), Cane Creek Road, Cane Creek strip mall, the house with the enormous front lawn (which some poor guy was mowing this time). Each time thinking that the finish line will be right around the corner (and that my odometer was somehow off), but facing the reality that there is more. Finally I recognized that Lower Christ Church Road was the final stretch, and my odometer roller over 100 right before the end; I had been on my bike for 6 hours and 20 minutes.

In my haste that morning, I had locked the keys in the van, so I rolled on to the organizers’ tent to retrieve my packet, meal ticket, and finally the long-awaited hamburger. Afterwards, a friendly participant gave me a coat hanger so I was able to pop the lock, pack up, and head back home.

The Hilly Hellacious Hundred is a great little mountain century that winds through some really scenic area on mostly low-traffic roads. It is well organized and at $25, a good value. In my case it is great way to get ready for the Bridge-to-Bridge Incredible Century Challenge in September.

My HHH History

Interesting HHH Links

Blue Ridge Bicycle Club's official Hilly Hellacious Hundred pages:
www.blueridgebicycleclub.org/hilly.html
www.blueridgebicycleclub.org/HILLY_2003.html

Ride summary by Tom Sheffield:
www.ncbikeclub.org/ride_summaries/ncbc99bh.htm

"Hilly Hellacious Hundred, cyclist finds, is aptly named bike ride"
By Will Harlan in the Smoky Mountain News

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