Well, For one thing the weather doesn't get nice up there. It's either hot and windy or really hot and windy. I've done the thing for 25 straight years and took the last two off.  I'm going back this year.

Quote from jrob_bent on Jul 22^nd, 2018, 7:37am:
      

Family obligation will put me in Grafton, Illinois, so I'll be riding along the Mississippi that Saturday thinking of how I'm missing the heat, wind and boulder seal!

Quote from Rawhide on Jul 23^rd, 2018, 3:25pm:

 
 
I have ridden along the MS River several times through Grafton. It should be nice there. Are you taking the Sam Vadalabene Great River Rd. Bike Trail?

I’m still on the fence, need to get a couple longer rides in if I’m really gonna do this. I’ve never ridden it and would be shooting for a sub 5 hour ride if I go.

If you get the chance, you have to ride across the old Chain of Rocks bridge. No motor vehicles allowed. You can turn south and ride the Riverfront Trail all the way to the Arch. Turn west and the Katy Trail is 240 miles long from the MS River to Clinton, MO. Have fun and be safe!

Quote from Phantom Rider on Jul 24^th, 2018, 1:40pm:

 
Come on and go Joe. I too was going to shoot for a sub 5 hours, but ?i have had a bad virus for about 9 days. My body is weak, but I might get back in good enough shape to still try.

I think since this will be my first HHH and I am just getting over this bug, I'll ride my corovelo and just have fun. I can eat, drink, and be merry without having to stop and get off the bike. It will help keep the sun off me too. My two wheel bikes might be faster but this little corovelo is way more fun!

Glad you are coming Reever. I was going in with the attitude of going as fast as I could. Then I thought, just go meet people and have fun. That is why I decided to ride my corovelo. See everyone there.

Not sure ..  I might run the Milan this year with the closed top ..  If I ride up before hand it will be the QV as its really the best for touring like that.
 
Quote from jrob_bent on Jul 29^th, 2018, 11:38am:

I plan to be there. 50 miles more than likely but with the right conditions I may go the whole 100
 
Trike most probably

Phantom,
Since we start with the tandems I think it's a good strategy to get in behind one of them (or behind the group of other riders drafting off of them) and hang on as long as you can. If you're lucky when the leading tandem breaks contact with the followers you'll have a really solid average speed that will diminish over time. The great thing about the HHH is that there are soooo many riders in the race that several other pace lines will come through for you to try to hang onto. Just monitor that rear view mirror to see them coming up so you can match their speed as they approach. In the last 20-30 miles of the race you will probably be constantly catching those poor upright souls that have been dropped by their groups. It always makes me glad to be riding a recumbent in those hot miles into the wind when I see those guys standing up on their pedals because their butts feel like a railroad spike is being driven up into them!
Oh, and by the way, somebody reach out and kick me in the head if I move up and take a turn leading one of those pace lines. I've done it three times in three years, and have gotten dropped by the group each time I've tried it. Back when I rode uprights the guys who never took a turn leading in a big group were called "clockers". I thought clockers were less than human. But, now I've seen that leading a group as a recumbent doesn't really help the group all that much, and it's just really tough to accelerate back up to the back of the group as they come by after taking your turn at the front. Just be a clocker--that is unless we can get a group of recumbents to form our own pace line!!!

Good luck finding anything to pull under out there. And don't ride on the side (edge) of the road unless you like giving flat repair demos. Although we start earlier then the main groups it is shocking to find riders on the road well ahead and you're passing. And that's where you need to be careful. Many accidents caused by wheel crossing each other while passing. You start to see the accidents around the 5 mile mark and then around mile 15, the rolling hills. Large groups have been cause up in those accidents and at high speeds. After the 2nd rest stop (don't brother with the 1st) the road is fairly flat with mild rollers. You'll see large groups pass at high speed (25-30). After the railroad tracks you'll make a left turn to Electra. It really thins out the heard from there. Each rest stop has their own flavor, you pays the money, use them, enjoy them. Don't worry about carrying too much with you. There's a ton of stuff out there.      

Quote from johnnybent on Aug 5^th, 2018, 6:33pm:

That's always been my biggest gripe. I start up front, yet 30 miles down the road, I'm still passing slow riders. That tells you how early and how far down the road some of them start. So they end up with several thousand faster riders trying to pass them. I just don't understand the entertainment value of that.
 
I've learned to pace myself better in the early miles. As an old fart missing half a lung, I can't keep up with the fastest riders, so I've learned to just drop off the fastest groups quickly, and pedal a comfortable pace until a group that's moving at a better speed for me comes along. I end up finishing just as fast as I did when I blew myself up early trying to keep a faster pace, and feel better after the ride.

Hey all you HHH participants!!  We will again be hosting our annual recumbent rider spaghetti dinner on Friday night, 5:30-8:00 PM, prior to the big ride.  All you need to bring is a smile and an appetite.  We will furnish iced tea and water, but feel free to bring any other beverages you want (including adult beverages, if desired).  
Address:  300 E Washington Ave, Iowa Park TX -- come around to the back, as that is where we all will be!!
 
Hope to see you there!!  Please let us know if you plan to come so we will have a head count for food prep!
 
Thanks Gary & Gay Bradford
817 988-8395

Pretty much what I was thinking. Plus, the only person you are cheating is yourself.  
 
 
Quote from MrWizard on Aug 7^th, 2018, 5:00pm:

I'm still toying with the idea of doing it on the SprintX - I haven't, yet.  My last time up on the Ghost Xstream (2015?) I hung with a fast group and had a ~24mph average at Hell's Gate -- then leg cramps hit with a vengeance, and I limped the rest of the way in.  Haven't really been doing much over 35 miles all summer, so maybe I'll take the cutoff instead of the 100...
 
If I go up, I'll try to stay at 1st Xtian church....  and try to make it to the Bradford's!
 
Paul

Quote from jrob_bent on Aug 11^th, 2018, 9:28pm:

I've already gotten mine, printed it out, and put it the van glove compartment (past years experience tells me that's the only way I'll remember to bring it).

Quote from Bud_Bent on Aug 17^th, 2018, 11:17am:

 
 
I know the feeling Bud. I have mine in my little bag I carry all my important stuff in. I'll leave the bag on the van seat because if I put it anywhere else, I would not remember where I put it!
 
See everyone in 8 days.

[quote author=MrWizard link=1532263031/30#38 date=1534876865]I'm out --  Dad just passed away and the services are the HH100 weekend.  
 
 
Have fun ..    
 
 
 Doug so sorry to hear about your dad.  I've been thru the same thing recently--my condolences.

Sorry to hear about your loss Doug.
 
I guess I am out too. I have a bad sinus/lung infection again. Doctor told me to stay out of the swimming pool as chlorine is bad for asthma.

I'm in -- I'll be coming up Friday midday.  Will decide between 100 and 75 at the Gate...  Bud, I'll meet you at FCC!
 
Paul

OK, I will show up Saturday morning. I might just pick up my packet and ride 15-20 miles. Today was the first time in over a week that I rode and my legs were shaking from being sick. If there is a tail wind, I might go 50 miles. I guess I'll see when I get there.

I have not ridden much either but ya don't have to bust yer butt out there. Easy 15 avg. and use the rest stops. I plan on the 65 for the base.

Nice to finally meet up with Bud. Also met Gary, Bill, and Paul and Reever were there. I met so many people I can't remember all the names.
I was trying to do the 50 mile route, but took the 25 turn off. Got to the interstate and sign was missing. Went a little over 2 miles turn around and ran into an upright rider. He thought the route was straight ahead. I rode about a 1/2 mile with him and turned around. Just as I was coming up to the right turn, they were putting the sign back up. I ended up with 30 miles. I was very weak and shaky!  
 
I was interviewed by the local TV station, radio station, and newspaper. They all called my corovelo the Road Runner bike! Ha ha. After crossing the finish line a reporter for a Dallas/Ft Worth TV station took a picture and asked for my name.  
 
It was a fun first HHH, except for not feeling 100%. I'll be back next year. It was fun and a well run event. I was talking so much and answering questions I forgot to take any pictures and turn my GoPro on! Maybe Paul got some decent pictures. I'll make it up the night before next year. Getting up at 2 am and getting ready isn't fun at all.  
 
See everyone there next year!
 
Now I know why my mouth was hurting and my stomach was upset yesterday. I have a big ole abscessed tooth! Finally had to take a pain pill. Reason, popcorn!