Peter's story: Horribly Hilly Hundreds

BaseCamp athlete Peter Nichols shared his experience at the 2025 Horribly Hilly Hundreds bike ride in Wisconsin.

TLDR – 200K & 11,500 ft of elevation with 22 noted climbs (8 category 4, 3 category 3, according to Garmin) and temperature ranging from about 52 to 90. Finished in 8.5 hours, which was 45 min better than last year.

The ride—not a race (unless you are racing yourself)—takes place about 30 miles west of Madison. They offer four distances, 100K, 150K, and 200k and it is often used by triathletes training for Ironman® Wisconsin. The 200k distance included about 22 characterized hills ranging from about 0.3 mile to about 3 miles and most of the climbs include a kicker over 10%, typically in the 12%-16% range, and some up to about 20%. It is well supported with aid stations and plenty of water stations, particularly for the 200K distance. I highly recommend this if you are looking for a real challenge.

This is my 6th year of taking part in this ride, all at the 200K distance and because I was disappointed with my result last year (I know Tim, I probably shouldn’t compare present self with past self, but I am only human), I increased my volume during this past BaseCamp (my 2d year), consistently followed Menachem's training program, and at the end of BaseCamp, engaged coach Paul Jobin, with a goal to better my finishing time from last year.

Since it is the Midwest and mid-June, the weather is unpredictable, particularly this year when it feels like we have been stuck in endless spring. The day started at about 50° with fog, heavy clouds, and smoke (from Canadian wild fires) that lasted until 10 am. Then, the sun started to come out and by noon, it was hot and steamy with a feel like temperature in the high 80s – low 90s, which made it difficult to stay on top of nutrition and hydration – not to mention that it felt like I was always climbing or bombing down the other side of the climb. To that end, I think I saw a highest speed of about 46 mph—whee!

At about the 50-60 mile point I was thinking I was doing great and feeling optimistic I could finish in about 8 hours. I was also resenting the food timer since it felt like I was always eating in my attempt to ingest about 90 g of carbs per hour. That being said, I was glad I was fueling at such a “high” level since I think nutrition plays as big of a role as physical training (maybe bigger) and it ensured that I felt good at the finish. And no, my gut isn’t usually that extended but with all the carbs and water it grew. 😂😂😂

The heat and accumulated miles took its toll and in the last 20 miles it was difficult to push the big watts on the climbs so that my 10 mile lap times increased from around 40 minutes to about 49 minutes. Notwithstanding the slower finish, I completed the ride in 8:30, which was 45 minutes faster than last year (and 11 years ago).

I want to acknowledge and thank the BaseCamp coaches and program, with a special mention to Menachem's strength training program and to my coach Paul Jobin, who put together a solid training program even in the absence of specific hill workouts (which don’t really exist in the Chicago area). I finished strong and without much pain. I also want to give a special shout out to all the BaseCamp members who provide their stories and wins and to those who provided encouragement and kudos on my training rides. It is the community that makes BaseCamp special.