99 miles with 8,500 feet of elevation gain
View bike route as Google Maps overlay or play bike route as Google Earth three-dimensional animation.
[GPS Satellite Data]Altitude, ascent, and temperature from bike computer (for location, see interactive map of bike rides):
[Course Data]Heartbreak Hundred - Cities/Towns Visited:
Lebec, Frazier Park, and Ventucopa
Heartbreak Hundred - Counties Visited:
Kern County, San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, and Ventura County
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 - Rest 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 - 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 San Clemente Renegades, who were riding on a tandem. We rode the rest of the ride together.
Heartbreak Hundred - Pictures:
[Top of Ridge]
[Central Valley]
[Lockwood Valley]
[«Heartbreak Hill»]Heartbreak Hundred - Current Weather:
See also King of the Mountains Century Challenge.
You might be interested in these centuries, super centuries, and double centuries.
See also Year-Rounder Challenge.
Interactive map of bike rides.
Labels: California Century Bike Rides, California May Bike Rides
