Do you want to suffer? If you do then making a trip out to the mid west’s premiere sufferfest is worth putting on the seasons bucket list. The Horribly Hilly Hundreds says its goal in the name by giving three ride options for the event. These rides are 100k, 150k, and 200k routes; this event is no joke whatsoever. And with more than 10,000 feet of climbing, the Horribly Hilly Hundred is one of the hardest one day events in the midwest, period. With a massive rider field having come to the event in the past few years, the average field size for the ride is more than 1,300 riders. To accommodate the mass number of sufferers to ride along Wisconsin’s scenic byways, there has been a lottery system implemented so everybody can have a fair chance at entry. For the people that want to go uphill a lot and test themselves physically and mentally, then the Horribly Hilly HUndreds is something to put on the bucket list.
A top gravel event in the US and winding its way through beautiful central Wisconsin is the Red Granite Grinder. Unlike most, the event organizers give an excellent description of this endurance masterpiece. “Riders get a chance to explore the grit in the western portion of Marathon County on several gems that can only be accessed through this race. Riders will fully experience Central Wisconsin by riding through areas not usually open to bikes in addition to passing ginseng fields, dairy farm pastures, barns, and farm fields in each the 50, 85 and 140 races. If you’d like to be a part of the event but don’t want to spend hours on your bike, consider the 12 mile recreational ride, or volunteer!Riders will be tested through a variety of hills, with the top male and female climbers being crowned “King / Queen of the Hill” before descending trails at Rib Mountain State Park for this one and only day!” The creme de la creme of the race is the 140 mile version. “Racers are immediately tested on this challenging course. Riders get a taste of what’s in store with climbing 800 feet to the top of Rib Mountain, setting the tone for the day. With lactic acid filled legs, riders must dismount for a mile hike-a-bike before riders white knuckle down, needing every ounce to maintain focus on the unpracticed, yet technical descent. Riders leave the city, where the race travels through the Wausau School Forest with one-of-a-kind bridges. After a spin in the Wausau School Forest, riders take several more miles of dirt via snowmobile trails at Nine Mile County Forest. After a few miles of gravel to Fenwood, riders finally can catch their breath on a rail-to-trail all the way to Edgar. In Edgar, riders enjoy the wooded trails at Scotch Creek Preserve. Riders get some reprieve at a stocked and energized aid station at mile 51 before heading to a redesigned 2020 route north into Lincoln County on several miles of forested gravel. Riders have one last chance to refuel in Red Granite country before tackling the final gut-wrenching climbs. In Maine, riders will fly down Billy Goat Hill only to gut it out on the final hills before heading back to downtown Wausau. Riders can finally relax as they welcome flat, smooth pavement all the way to the finish line in the heart of downtown Wausau.”
The 85 miler is a step down from the 140 but is still absolutely no joke. “Riders start out on the 140 mile route and are immediately tested. Racers are immediately tested on this challenging course. Riders get a taste of what’s in store with climbing 800 feet to the top of Rib Mountain, setting the tone for the day. With lactic acid filled legs, riders must dismount for a mile hike-a-bike before riders white knuckle down, needing every ounce to maintain focus on the unpracticed, yet technical descent. Riders leave the city, where the race travels through the Wausau School Forest with one-of-a-kind bridges. After a spin in the Wausau School Forest, riders take several more miles of dirt via snowmobile trails at Nine Mile County Forest. After a few miles of gravel to Fenwood, riders finally can catch their breath on a rail-to-trail all the way to Edgar. In Edgar, riders enjoy the wooded trails at Scotch Creek Preserve. Riders get some reprieve at a stocked and energized aid station at mile 51 before the 85 mile route splits off the 140 mile route and heads east, where riders will have the wind at their backs. Riders have one last chance to refuel in Red Granite country before tackling the final gut-wrenching climbs. In Maine, riders will fly down Billy Goat Hill only to gut it out on the final hills before heading back to downtown Wausau. Riders can finally relax as they welcome flat, smooth pavement all the way to the finish line in the heart of downtown Wausau.”
And new for 2020, is a 50 mile and there is the family friendly 12 mile version. There are frequent, fully stocked aid stations along the course and there are plenty of pre race and post race activities. The Red Granite Grinder is a top mixed surface event in the USA and an excellent course for testing yourself for Kanza and or beyond.
