I did the Savage Man course yesterday. Finished in 4:00!
Perhaps I should qualify that…I did the bike course in 4:00!!
The race web site states that, “If, after finishing the SavageMan, you feel you have previously completed a half-iron distance race that is more scenic and more savage, race management will refund your entry fee complete with a profound apology.” In my opinion, there is no chance that anyone will take them up on this offer. Of course, I grew up in the Appalachian Mountains, so I think they are the most beautiful place on earth. But it’s not just the mountains. The entire ride is inspiring and, dare I say it, fun. The only problem is that the hills are relentless. I hate to admit this, but as strong of a rider as I am, I had to walk the bike…twice!! oddly enough, I had no problem with the vaunted “Westernport Wall” (aka Rock Road). Sure, it’s steep, but it’s only 1-3 blocks depending on how you measure it. Once you’ve reached the “top”, the real climbing begins.
Personally, I felt the toughest parts of the course were the few miles between Twin Churches Road, Otto Lane and Maynardier Ridge Road. These are short sections but very steep and towards the “end”.
If you are in the area, have a go at this one. Just don’t hope to PR!
Daaaaaamn. This is good stuff. I love it when they make it hard instead of pussifying everything.
(Note to self: never ever admit walking the bike in public.)
that course is amazing, and well worth the name. we were out there for a training camp last week and did a lot of riding in a few days (210 miles 21,000+ feet of climbing). the hardest part of the course are the rollers that are not considered climbs there, most places they are climbs. each day was better than the last. i just wish that they could figure a way to but Bowman hill in the course. it is a dog fight to get up that thing over 6mph!
this is goint to be a huge event, and people will talk about it for a year till the next one; so come be a part of the first one!
“never ever admit walking the bike in public.”
I guess I should add that I road the course with a 53/39 up front and 11/21 in the back. A gearing combo I would NOT recommend…for anyone. I’ll get a 27+ for the rear cassette before I ride it again.
Daaaaaamn. This is good stuff. I love it when they make it hard instead of pussifying everything.
(Note to self: never ever admit walking the bike in public.)
Really.
(39-26 was insufficient. This was in 2001, on the hardest climb in NJ, at mile ~52 of a 11,000’ climbing century)
That was before you started doing your patented squats. I trust it hasn’t happened since. 
i road it in a 39x25 no problem. a 27 will help, but it is not necessary.
That was before you started doing your patented squats. I trust it hasn’t happened since.
That goes without saying. Now, I ride it seated, pushing weaker riders with one hand, while ridiculing their puny quads.
i’m with you on the “make it harder”, but they scheduled this for the weekend after SoS, which pretty much rules it out for me. or does it?
I’m really curious what kind of speeds people are going to put up on this bike course. There are a lot of strong riders who can’t imagine a 3+ hour half IM bikesplit (especially on a course that is almost entirely downhill for the first 20 miles), but having ridden in Deep Creek, I don’t think many people will be sub-3. the hills just never stop and it really is tough to keep 6 mph on some of them. but at least it’s as pretty as it is hard.
Is that Fiddler’s Elbow on the Hillier Than Thou? If so, I walked my sorry ass up that hill too, and then walked up Iron Bridge a few miles later.
This year my goal is to not walk at all.
Looks like a killer race!!!
Great Prep for AZ . I’m there.
Is that Fiddler’s Elbow on the Hillier Than Thou? If so, I walked my sorry ass up that hill too, and then walked up Iron Bridge a few miles later.
This year my goal is to not walk at all.
You betcha. I’ve done Fiddler’s Elbow three times, and the only time I didn’t walk was when it wasn’t during the HTT (which I raced).
Good luck with your goal.
(One of the former winners used a 50-34-27 (or something like that) up front and a 12-25 in back, and did it seated)
Ken - you going to sign up for Savageman? I signed up today.
I did Fiddler’s Elbow for the first time last winter. I got 2/3 of the way up when my front wheel slipped out on a patch of wet loose gravel and slipped off of the side of the road. Once you’re stopped, there’s no starting again on that beast. So technically, I walked it. The buddy I was riding with who I had dropped at the bottom of the climb passed me while I was walking up with a big a$$ grin on his face despite the pain…
Chris
Ken - you going to sign up for Savageman? I signed up today.
I’m, uh, busy that day. Yeah, that’s the ticket.