Tour de Mad Dog Series Stage 14: Hardinsburg Century Century - 98.9-miles

Saturday's ride is one many of you may have ridden in the past. For those who have not here are some details. The first store stop is a bit early. 22 miles. With the predicted heat, I encourage people to take it easy up to the store. Other than the climb up Leota Hill and some rollers, the first 22 miles are fairly flat and it is easy to go too fast on a day that is better spent conserving energy and sweat.

The climbs begin after the store stop on Shorts Corner. There are no huge climbs in this section, but it is rolling and fairly constant.

The lunch stops are Little Twirl or K&E. Little Twirl is at 49.3. K&E is at 56. Little Twirl has hamburgers, tenderloins, fish tails, chicken strip types of food. K&E has broasted chicken and a small deli counter.

The third store stop is at Red Barn. Amos has said he will have Gatorade and water. There is a small selection of candy bars and crackers. He also has pop. The big climb comes a few miles before you reach the store.

The course flattens out for the last fourth though it is rolling. It travels past the Delaney Park trail head for the Knobstone hiking trail and there are Amish households along this section.

I rode the course about two weeks ago and there were no issues at that time. I rode about 75 miles yesterday in the heat and it is quite doable. Let me know if you want to start early. I can't recommend riding alone in the heat as there will be nobody there is you have issues, but you are grown men and women and I often ride alone. You might want to consider carrying an ice sock. This is a tube sock that you can fill with ice at stops and sling around your neck allowing the ice to melt and run down. Steve Rice first introduced me to the ice stop and it has saved my bacon in the past on very hot rides.