Recommendations fo CC/VQ training rides

[genusmtbkr5]

Originally Posted by BFloFoxRider.

so im assuming it would be best for one to try the CC before attempting the VQ?

I would and that's what I would tell anyone not used to lots of climbing or that kind of mileage. Lots of riders don't finish the VQ for a number of reasons, cramping is one huge factor and just plain bonking is another.

[BFloFoxRider.]

Originally Posted by genusmtbkr5

I would and that's what I would tell anyone not used to lots of climbing or that kind of mileage. Lots of riders don't finish the VQ for a number of reasons, cramping is one huge factor and just plain bonking is another.

how many miles is each and how many feet of climbing?

[genusmtbkr5]

Originally Posted by BFloFoxRider.

how many miles is each and how many feet of climbing?

CC = 44 miles and 8000 ft of climbing
VQ = 56 miles and 11000 ft of climbing

You read up on it here:
http://www.warriorssociety.org/

[BFloFoxRider.]

Originally Posted by genusmtbkr5

CC = 44 miles and 8000 ft of climbing
VQ = 56 miles and 11000 ft of climbing

You read up on it here:
http://www.warriorssociety.org/

wow they both are pretty intense..
so what would an ideal bike be for this? hardtail for climbing, or xc full suspension for more comfort on the long ride?

[Zippy]

Originally Posted by BFloFoxRider.

wow they both are pretty intense..
so what would an ideal bike be for this? hardtail for climbing, or xc full suspension for more comfort on the long ride?

Whichever you prefer. I've done it on both and I'm thinking SS rigid for the VQ next year.

[klutter]

Originally Posted by BFloFoxRider.

wow they both are pretty intense..
so what would an ideal bike be for this? hardtail for climbing, or xc full suspension for more comfort on the long ride?

It doesn't really matter what bike you take. You'll be regretting what you're doing regardless.

[allison]

It's unfortunate the forest is still closed... One of our better training rides was up ITT, down Holy Jim, out to O'Neill and over to Modjeska Grade, up Harding, up to the peak, down Upper Holy Jim, down ITT. It was about 10 hours (this was over a year and a half ago, mind you..) and over 8 hours of ride time. We barely made it. If we hadn't actually had to get back to our vehicle we may not have finished at all.

This year our longest was up SJT, up Main Divide, down Trabuco, up Holy Jim, back across the wall, down West Horsethief, up Trabuco, and back down SJT (the loop).

ITT is a great climb. I highly suggest utilizing it for training. We've climbed Holy Jim a ton as well.

[BFloFoxRider.]

So again, would road climbing up mount Badly, or up GMR be good training for all the climbing?

[allison]

Originally Posted by mechmann

also high on my list would be the Hemet-Thomas Mtn route. we never really finished that route properly, but it is a good one for mental toughness!

we did the blackstar-eagle route and it was good, but too far of a drive for us. better to start earlier than drive farther.

if you are going to train for VQ, do yourself a favor and start shopping now for cheap cold weather gear. thick wool socks, winter gloves, winter shoes if you can afford them, wool stuff, jackets, etc. the winter training rides in the Santa Anas are COLD!!!!!!!

OMG, Hemet to Thomas Mountain. Honestly - never again!!! I'd rather hike up WHT like 3 times than do that ride. No joke.

Also, GREAT point on the warm weather gear. We have used ours a ton the past two winters. Very necessary. Stuff might be on sale now while it is hot out also. You might not think it'll come in handy, but it will!!

[Zippy]

Originally Posted by BFloFoxRider.

So again, would road climbing up mount Badly, or up GMR be good training for all the climbing?

Heck yes.

[BFloFoxRider.]

Originally Posted by Zippy

Heck yes.

it just so happens i attempted it 2 weeks ago and made it.. my first real ride in a long time... im somewhat sick but if im up for it in the morn i may ride up Baldy again

[Zippy]

Originally Posted by BFloFoxRider.

it just so happens i attempted it 2 weeks ago and made it.. my first real ride in a long time... im somewhat sick but if im up for it in the morn i may ride up Baldy again

All the way to the ski lifts?

[ubermensch]

Originally Posted by BFloFoxRider.

So again, would road climbing up mount Badly, or up GMR be good training for all the climbing?

It seemed to work well for this guy that was spotted while training on GMR back in Feb....



By the way, I would love to try those longer rides ('mega loop' in Chino Hills) that were posted earlier in the thread if you guys don't mind putting them up in the calender one of these days.

[BrewMaster]

Originally Posted by ubermensch

By the way, I would love to try those longer rides ('mega loop' in Chino Hills) that were posted earlier in the thread if you guys don't mind putting them up in the calender one of these days.

I made a mistake above. The route I did on Sunday was 4000' of climbing, so the CH Mega Loop is probably around 5500' or 6000'. Still a worthy training ride though. I'll post it next time I try that route. I need people to ride with up the last part of Northridge. It seriously sucks.

[KonaDupee]

Originally Posted by BrewMaster

I made a mistake above. The route I did on Sunday was 4000' of climbing, so the CH Mega Loop is probably around 5500' or 6000'. Still a worthy training ride though. I'll post it next time I try that route. I need people to ride with up the last part of Northridge. It seriously sucks.

I'll suffer through it with ya, Sam.

Any of the numerous routes mentioned above would be good. Hell, half of them I have never done. However, it looks like our options will greatly increase once the forest opens up.

I'm still up in the air on whether to do VQ or CC next year.

[Impy]

Originally Posted by genusmtbkr5

You won't even be allowed to continue to Trabuco if you don't make it to HJ lot by 11:30.

I thought last year they said they'd change it to 12:00 for bottom of holy jim? Is that being cut back further?

[Pickettt]

Originally Posted by BFloFoxRider.

So again, would road climbing up mount Badly, or up GMR be good training for all the climbing?

I've been looking for some company to ride GMR to Baldy on a regular basis. 'Round about 12mph? I do it about twice a month now by myself, and I get bored. Any takers?

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by donkey

Blackstar/Eagle/Skyline/Blackstar is a good one.

If the forest opens up anytime soon......I really like Maple/Joplin/Harding/Maple. That was always a good one.

There's really no shortage of long rides when the forest is open!

Don't forget the road miles.....that should be a major component of any training plan.

B

"I really like Maple/Joplin/Harding/Maple. That was always a good one."