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The Ride Director's Top Five Tips for completing the Shasta Summit Century and Super Century Not only have I ridden this area extensively -- including the climbs -- but I've seen a lot of riders succeed and fail in their attempt to complete the Shasta Summit Century and Super Century. Here are a few strategies for success: Do your homework. The Super Century is the equivalent of a Tour 'de France mountain stage with over three vertical miles of climbing. You won't make it on last year's miles. The key? You need quality miles, including a lot of sustained climbing. Our climbs are only steep in places, but there are few flatter places to recover. Ride now or suffer later -- it's your choice. Pace yourself. You're ready to go, so it's tempting to pour on the pace. Don't. When I rode the Shasta Summit Century, I was routinely passed by riders at the start of climbs, only to catch them near the top, their legs failing. These are sustained climbs, and nobody wins anything at the top of the first climb. And the suffering on the final ride up Mt. Shasta can be immense - especially if you threw away your legs on Parks Creek and Mumbo Summit - the two toughest climbs. Take it easy the first two climbs and enjoy the scenery. Your legs will thank you later. Bring your climbing bike. Most of the local riders have made peace with the climbs -- you see a lot of triples, compact doubles, and big rear sprockets on the bikes up here. The strongest riders can get away with "Lance gears" but with over three vertical miles of climbing, this is the wrong place to pretend you're Eddy Merckx. You'll climb faster with lower gears. And think light -- one of last year's finishers confided that he'd trained his butt off, and rewarded himself with a new carbon bike before the ride (a month before -- never bring a brand new bike on the century). Stay fed & hydrated. Start eating and drinking early in the ride -- by the time you feel hungry and thirsty, it's too late. There are food stops at the top of every climb (and halfway up two of them), and it's tempting to go light on water to save weight, but these are long climbs, so carry enough water with you -- and stuff some food in your pockets. Have fun! It's a long ride, but it's also a beautiful one. Every corner brings another stunning view, and for many of our riders, the Summit Century is the high point of their season (if not their century career). Enjoy it! |
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