Iām a reasonably experienced cyclist, ride both road and MTB, usually 1,000-2,000 miles a year. Iāve raced some local MTB events with decent results and regularly ride some pretty steep hills around Pittsburgh. Iām also a bigger guy, around 200 lbs, so I know climbing isnāt exactly my specialty.
Signed up for the Dirty Dozen Party Bus thinking Iād probably clear half the hills, struggle through a few more and maybe walk Canton. Wasnāt expecting to dominate anything, but figured Iād survive.
Did a scouting ride yesterday, which unfortunately was the only ātrainingā ride I could do just do to life and whatnotā¦and holy shit was I humbled. I sort of thought Iād struggle a lot, but make it on my limit or very close. Did 40 miles, 4,100 feet of climbing and attempted 10 hills. I think I cleared 3 or 4. A few I got pretty close, others I had absolutely no answer for. Sycamore actually wasnāt terrible, but Suffolk was terrifyingly steep to me. And Kendallās cobbles on 28mm road tires? Forget it, I made it through mayyyybe 50 feet before my legs didnāt have the power answer to overcome the bouncing and steepness.
I have power pedals, so I have a pretty good idea of my limits. Set a 3-minute power PR on Christopher right out of the gate, which probably wasnāt smart. I can grind away at 220-250 watts for a long time, but 400 watts for several minutes is a completely different story. Once I started getting tired, I just didnāt have the legs to keep the bike moving on those pitches. By the end I was cramping pretty badly.
I also think some of it was mental. Riding solo, not knowing what was coming next, and knowing I still had a bunch of hills left probably made me bail earlier than I otherwise would have. But some of those climbs were genuinely intimidating.
So hereās my thought. I have a 2021 Specialized Fuse set up more for XC riding with lighter wheels/components and 2.4ā XC tires. I have 2.25ā tires that if Iām not being lazy I could throw on to reduce some of the resistance theoretically, I have a 30T front and 45T rear cassette, versus the 33/36 on my road bike.
My thinking is that the much lower gearing would let me slow way down, keep my cadence up and avoid having to stand and mash 350-400 watts just to keep moving. I can move my power pedals over and hopefully manage my efforts a little better. I donāt care if a hill takes me 5 minutes instead of 2.5, I just want to get up it.
Obviously the downside is riding a heavier MTB for 50 miles. But with the Party Bus pace and stops, maybe thatās not as bad as it sounds?
Iām already paid up and going with a friend, so backing out and training for next year isnāt really an option. I know Iām not going to magically gain 50 watts or lose 20 pounds by Saturday. Just trying to make the day survivable and hopefully clear more hills than I walk. Yesterday was honestly pretty discouraging.
Has anyone done this on a hardtail? Am I thinking about the gearing correctly or is riding a MTB for 50 miles a terrible idea? Totally willing to be talked out of it. Honestly Iām just trying to salvage next Saturday and have fun, because yesterday some of those climbs and failing so early on hills had me in a dark place about biking periodā¦probably the most humbled Iāve ever been on a bike.
Any advice from people whoāve actually done the event would be appreciated.