This is the second part of Rob D’Amico’s series looking at Tour Das Hugel and his attempt to do the 2011 ride. See here for Part I.  He also is hosting a fundraiser that lets you donate a set amount for each mile he completes, with all proceeds going to local bike nonprofits.

About Me: Part II
I mentioned before that I really wanted to lose a bunch of weight, maybe 15 pounds in two months, to make the hills a bit easier. I kept picturing a backpack with a 15 pound iron weight in it, hoping it would spur the discipline to eat (and drink) better and ride more. Although some pounds are coming off (I’ve lost 7), it was slower than I anticipated. Perhaps, I’m gaining muscle mass in my legs! Or maybe I’m just refueling more.

After a long ride last Sunday, I noticed that I began viewing food as fuel. At a local market, I started sampling everything they had out, not out of curiosity for taste, but just because I needed fuel. It brought back memories of one of my long-time roommates—James Franzen, who commented on my first post. The guy was lean and muscular, rode everywhere he went and was known for passing other well-geared cyclists on his single speed in the Oakland Hills. Most of his greetings were, “Is that food?” and “Are you going to eat that.” He ate everything in sight, and I really don’t recall when he wasn’t eating. I will just have to see how the food and weight issue pans out, but I’ll be at least putting together an eating/nutrition plan heading into the final week before Nov. 5.

As noted previously, most all of my cycling has been commuting from destination to destination. I’m hoping that this experience simply will increase the distance between destinations and remove the fear of some of the obstacles, i.e. hills. Hell, it makes a trip through South America seem less daunting! And I want to expand my knowledge and abilities. For instance, clipless pedals were new to me, and although clipping in and out didn’t turn out to be a big deal, it did lead to my first fall in years.

I’m a pretty skilled bicyclist that knows how to navigate traffic and hazards well, and I ride as if every driver is about to do something deadly and stupid. Still, a lot of people are incredulous when I tell them I haven’t wiped out since 1995, when I somehow vaulted forward, ran over my own face and left a tire tread mark across my forehead and down my cheek. (My friend I was riding with stopped laughing just long enough to make sure I was OK.) Maybe I just don’t ride hard enough!

Regardless, I was pumping slowly up City Park Road a few weeks back on my second time out on the new road bike, flew through to many gears at once, grinded to a halt and fell over. It’s a strange feeling to still be clipped in to the pedals with your bike on top of you. Luckily it’s light. Didn’t even have a scrape, although my saddle got a sizable scrape on its second day on the road. Bummer.

A couple people have asked about shaving my legs to make road rash heal easier when the eventual crash occurs. Not in the plans right now. Although my kids undoubtedly would think it was a riot.

Das Hugel: Part II
It’s hard to even tell when Das Hugel first started. Retracing emails to the group listserv it looks as though it was either 2002 or 2003.  Support has varied over the years with some bike shops offering assistance at various points, including last year, and informal rest stops with food and drink helping riders along the way. The original group promoting and setting the route have bowed out from taking the lead, and it’s obvious that this year the ride will be an off-year, with little or no support or rest amenities offered. I think the support probably will develop again in the coming years, but until that time, riders will have to make do on their own for much of the course. I anticipate a lot of business at convenience stores along the way on Nov. 12. (I also see some opportunities to again play with different routes each year.)

2010 Tour Das Hugel pictures courtesy of flickr.com/photos/onefiftyfour.

It’s also clear that the course changed over the years, actually going up from 66 or so miles to more than 100.  Too bad I didn’t start earlier. Pam LeBlanc offered a look at Hugel and its founders in one of her Austin American-Statesman Fit City columns.

The Course: Part II  (The First Loop … Das Hugelito?)
Previously I described the pleasures of the High Road/Terrace Mountain, which makes up the first real challenge of the first Hugel loop of just under 40 miles. After the High Road section, you head out west on Bee Caves Road, then down Cuernavaca Drive, then do a loop back up River Hills Road to Bee Caves. I’ll skip discussion of the Cuernavaca section, since it’s only five miles or so, and if there are any “giveaways” in the course, this would have to be one.  It’s relatively easy climb up River Hills, although if you get into a headwind on the rolling hills of Bee Caves, it’s just another way that this course taxes your endurance.

The last section of the first loop is a sure to sap your energy, regardless of where the wind blows. When I first attempted it, I turned on Barton Creek Boulevard and was shocked to find myself screaming down a magnificent incline, since I would have expected the masochistic founders of Das Hugel to make this a ride up the hill. I had driven this road many times, and despite the somewhat disgusting politics involved in the area’s development, I still marveled at the spectacular view. Passing Barton Creek over a rather unique bridge, I noted the parched grass and dry bed below and lamented that the drought had robbed us of what makes Austin summers special—swimming in Barton Creek. It didn’t take long for me to curse the Hugel founders again, though, as several steep rises had to be dealt with before even getting to the next severe challenge—Lost Creek Boulevard. A mile or so down Lost Creek, I was suddenly confronted by a big old hump that’s short but nasty. It took all that I had to make it to the top, only to find that there was another climb just as bad waiting after the downhill.  All of this is before the big slog. Lost Creek Boulevard back up to 360, although not particularly steep, is long, about two miles. The only solace is that you know that after you’ve made it up, it’s a breeze back to the Hugel starting point at the MoPac pedestrian bridge over Lady Bird Lake.

After three or so weeks of partial-loop rides, I had completed the whole first loop. Yet another “hardest thing I’ve ever done,” in what turns out to be a continuing advancement of that concept. Many Hugel riders do this loop then call it a day.  I would have to find out if I could stretch it a “bit” further. Only 68 miles of hills to go.

Equipment and Logistics: Part II
Thanks again goes to the crew at Mellow Johnnys. I’ve spread my purchases to a variety of bike shops around town throughout the years, and they are all great. I just happened to end up at MJs one day and they got me set up with everything I needed to at least act like a real road cyclist: the new Trek 1.5, clipless pedals, shoes, gloves, a good pump, shorts, etc. Then fitted me on the bike and gave me some tips on hand positioning and clipping in and out of the pedals. (I’ll address the gearing in a later post.)

I felt a bid weird picking out a jersey, since they are kind of what defines the overall look of road cyclists and reinforce some of the negative stereotypes that drivers have about some of their bad behavior. Then again they have pockets. I started on the clearance rack, but my son—who is an avid Andy Schleck fan—gravitated toward the Leopard-Trek jersey and insisted this would be the best. Turned out it fit the best on my large girth and was on sale.

Getting used to my new Trek 1.5 was easier than I thought, although I have to admit it was a bit scary in the beginning on the high-speed down-hills trying to figure out just the right finger positioning and pressure on the breaks.

One unique innovation that I haven’t seen elsewhere, yet, is putting a sock around my water bottle. It keeps the water cooler and offers storage space for easy access to energy bars or whatever else I may need on ride day.

What About You? Part II
If you don’t want to try Das Hugel yourself, why not come out and help out? Traditionally there have been a handful of stops manned by friends to pass out nourishment and offer encouragement, most often in three-hour shifts. Unfortunately, the number of people offering this year is sparse, so email me at tourdashugel@yahoo.com if you’re interested in helping out.

Several points on the ride also are great places for photographers to hang out and shoot. And need I mention how cool video would be?

Disclaimer: Das Hugel is not a sanctioned event. It is a happening, a gathering of people out for a ride, with no support guaranteed, no leadership and no official coordination.