99 miles with 8,500 feet of elevation gain*
Locate ride on interactive map.
[Interactive Course | enlarge]
[Route Profile]
Heartbreak Hundred - Counties Visited:
Kern County, San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, and Ventura County
Heartbreak Hundred - Cities/Towns Visited:
Lebec, Frazier Park, and Ventucopa
Heartbreak Hundred - Climbs:
Mile 0 (cat. 3), 10 (cat. 4), 15 (cat. 4), 17 (cat. 3), 26 (cat. 4), 69 (cat. 3), 78 (cat. 4), and 88 (cat. 4)
Heartbreak Hundred - Stops:
Mile 20 (Apache Saddle), 54 (Ventucopa), and 76 («Heartbreak Hill»)
Heartbreak Hundred - Description:
The Heartbreak Hundred is a beautiful and difficult century. It is held on the same day as the Heartbreak Double Century. The ride, which only has five turns, winds through high desert and alpine forest landscapes, passing through Los Padres National Forest and Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge.
The first ascent leads from Lebec to Frazier Park, followed by climbs to Mount Pinos and Apache Saddle. Then an awesome descent winds down a ridge dividing the huge Central Valley on the right and the Cuyama and Lockwood Valleys on the left.
A left turn on Highway 166 and another left turn on Highway 33 lead to Ventucopa. The route then continues through Cuyama Valley and starts climbing up Lockwood Valley, crossing the infamous «Heartbreak Hill». Eventually the course leads back to Frazier Park and down to Lebec.
Heartbreak Hundred - Pictures:
[Top of Ridge]
[Central Valley]
[Lockwood Valley]
[«Heartbreak Hill»]
Heartbreak Hundred - Personal Notes:
This year, the unexpectedly low temperature and strong wind caused as much of a challenge as the distance and climbing.
At the top of «Heartbreak Hill», I caught up with John U. and Susen S. from the Renegades, who were riding on a tandem. We rode the rest of the ride together.
Heartbreak Hundred - Current Weather:
See also King of the Mountains Century Challenge.