Originally Posted by woodcraft

Sorry the ride didn't work out, but this is surely overstated.

"20 miles, most of which included climbing sections with 18+% grades"

If you did a 20 mile ride with 10 climbs with 18+% grades, I'll eat my cycling gloves.

Originally Posted by Bald Paul

I have a neighbor who started cycling after knee surgery. He got to where he could comfortably ride around 18 miles locally, then asked me if I would join him on a charity ride sponsored by a nearby cycling club. One of the routes they offered was a short 20 miles. Of course, I agreed.
On the day of the ride we checked in at the registration table and got our route cuesheet. Roads had been pre-marked with colored arrows at the turns for the various routes.
Off we went. 20 miles, most of which included climbing sections with one section at an 18+% grade. (I'll admit, some of those were 'get off and walk the bike to the top' sections.) Needless to say, we ended up totally exhausted, and spent the next day or two resting our knees (I have had knee surgery previously.) We both swore we would never sign up for a group / charity ride again, unless the route was published on something like RidewithGPS to see what kind of terrain we would be tackling.
How do you approach group / charity rides?

NOTE: section in italics edited to clarify for those conceptually challenged

Originally Posted by rutan74

Although not 20 miles, the Dirty Dozen in Pittsburgh is 13 climbs over 50 miles. Each of these 13 climbs starts at minimum of 20% with Canton Avenue at 37%. Of course, this does not count all the climbing in between these 13 highlighted climbs.

I have not done the event but have followed it for years since I was born and raised in Western Pa and know the hills of Pittsburgh fairly well.

john