BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

never done the tour

I'm in. If you start a Bike Pgh team I'll join it.

However... 6:30AM?! I don't know about that.

A couple of years ago I drove a support van for one of these local fund raiser type rides and I couldn't believe how early everything happened. It was still dark when I got to the start... Ridiculous.

Looked like a reasonably good time if that's your thing though. Pretty well organized and supported, for sure.

I'm planning on doing the 100mi. It's over an hour away it appears though, haven't made a plan yet for that.

If I get my knees straightened out / ride the ms150 / survive, I plan on doing this.

I've never done this one either...should try to make it.

Wonder if there's a decent campground nearby? Might be fun to ride up the night before.

I'm toying with the 100 mile although the early start and distance from the city might necessitate a hotel room....not much for camping myself

I registered for the 100mi as an individual. I'm sure I can jump on a team or what have you if there is one.

Most likely going to drive up the night before and get a cheap motel.

I attended the kick off meeting and it was a blast. $2.50 pints at the Claddagh and free appetizers. I learned a lot about the cause and the the volunteering and fundraising that goes into this. My fiance and and I started our own team, let me know if you want to join.

I am doing the 100 mile (my very first century) and my fiance is doing the 50 mile ride (also her longest ride). It should be a lot of fun.

Our plan is to wake up super early and make the 45-hour commute from the southside to Seneca Valley High school by car w/ bike rack.

I'm doing the century, signed up back in December. This'll be my first century, so I'm crazy psyched for it.

What's everyones plan for this? Hotel or driving up really early? I'll have room for one more bike.

I am driving up early that morning. I believe the ride starts at 6:30AM So I'll probably get there around 6AM. Which means I need to leave the southside at 5:15 AM (yikes!).

I am really excited for this (a bit nervous too). Any one have any ideas how long this should take 6-7 hours (averageing 15-16 mph)?

(I can divide for myself, I was just wondering how much time people usually take at rest/food/water stops.)

What kind of food/energy bars are you guys packing for this? I think that there are going to be plenty of rest stops, I have never done the Tour before so I don't know what to expect.

Also if anyone has any last minute advice, I am open to it. See you there and say hi to me. I have a Celeste and Yellow Bianchi with a white saddle.

-David

I'm leaving early as well from the North Hills to do the century. I'm not sure if the rest stops are similar to the ones during the MS150 (lots and lots of food, water and gatorade). If that's the case, nothing was really needed the entire MS150. 7-8 hours sounds about right. Eat well the next few days, especially the night before.

Looks like 40% chance of storms/rain, take some type of rain gear if you can. I just got a Novara Express Jacket ($70) from REI but haven't used it yet. I'm just hoping water 'resistant' is good enough. Would this jacket have survived the hour or two of rain during the ms150?

@Mildsnleu -- My first century as well. I'm targeting it taking me about 8 hours. However, that is on the slow side, but given my age, health history(morbidly obese until about a year ago) and cycling experience I'm playing it conservatively my first time out.

I was recently talking to a co-worker who targets 20mph, and he's at least 10 years my senior and has been seriously cycling for 8 years... so I think its whatever you think your body can handle.

This thread has some good advice about what to bring and average paces.

I'll be riding a black jamis ventura comp, and am more than happy to say hi. My GF will also be working the registration section... so I'm going to be there early.

@flyS564 -- I that that is what I used on my Wales trip, it easily handled all but one of the days when we were cycling through the remains of hurricane bill. (So high winds and rain... lots and lots of rain.)

So you should be fine... just remember to zip it ALL the way up or water will pool in your sleeves and weigh you down.

Thanks, that's good to know. It's one of the cheaper rain jackets and I was willing to fork out double the $ if it meant keeping dry when doing this kind of thing.

i did the century a few years back when i was in a LOT better shape. i think my avg was somewhere around 17-20mph. I thought about doing the century again, since i survived the one on the ms a few weeks ago. However, it is supposed to be nearly 90 degrees and humid and i really don't do well in weather like that. i've gotten pretty ill in the past despite hydration and eating enough. i'm still unsure.

I'm driving up early. I'm in for the century. I guess it will take me 6:30 total including stops. I did this ride a few years ago and I recall rest stops had pb&j. Don't forget your sunscreen.

Fun ride but man it was hot and I do not want another PB&J for a long while!

I have 5 inch blisters & I was told that I should go to the ER. I stood for the last 12 miles of the ride. I'm not riding my bike until I get a new seat fitted.

Long meeting tomorrow too so I'm trying to think of the best way explain to my boss why I'm lying down on the floor.

Ouch! Yike! What would they do for you at the ER?

I always use Body Glide on my saddle area. Neosporin might help at this point.

At the last rest stop, Pro-Bikes handed me some and it was too late, FIRE lol. Getting a new seat fitted tomorrow at any expense within $100.

The race was really hot and humid, I was fighting hamstring and quad cramps through the last two rest stops. I averaged around 15-16 MPH and am pretty proud of that. I set a new personal speed record of 49 MPH down hill, very exciting.

If any of you are investors, I suggest buying stock in advil. I am popping them like candy right now.

@ Mildsnbleu, I was the woman who was just behind the guys in front, riding a Madone with a Pittsburgh jersey. I averaged 14-15 MPH (rolling) but my rest stops got longer and longer as I was trying to eat and hydrate to deal with the heat.

@flyS564, I have heard that firmer saddles are actually better and people swear by old-school leather saddles. Also, since switching to DeSoto 400-mile bike shorts, I will never wear another bike short again. Worth every penny.

I've got friends in the distance cycling community who swear by Lantiseptic for treatment of saddle-related abrasions. Some also use it as a preventative measure.

An informal review of Lantiseptic

[Edited to add:] To Sarah's point re: olde-schoole leather saddles, I will say that Brooks saddles predominate in the "let's ride 150 miles before stopping for lunch" set.

Pure Lanolin was my bff when my son was nursing.

Completely unrelated... hats off to the dude at the TdC who has serious road rash and his very nice Look bike was toast after the guy he was riding near had a front tire blowout and they both went down near mile 35. He was totally cool about it and did not blame anyone or react angrily -- was just grateful that everyone walked away more or less okay.

Yeah the road rash at the second rest stop looked gnarly. Glad everyone was okay but someone got taken away in an ambulance I heard?

The heat really got to me, especially at the last rest stop... but I got myself cooled down and actually made it the whole way. This was my first century, and I'm pretty pleased.

Wish I'd driven the route before tackling it. I would have used a different strategy if I'd known what was coming.

Took off yesterday to recover, but really by the end of the day I felt just fine which surprised me.

Oh and thanks to Taylor and Dave who help keep me sane at various points. Would have been much less fun w/o people to talk to!

myddrin, what time did you finish? I was trailing with someone who had bad cramps towards the end and didn't get back to the school until 4:30 (7:10 hrs pedaling time). I also stopped to lend someone a tube and pump after they went into a pot hole dead on. I anticipated finishing a couple hours sooner but glad I finished okay.

It's all a little hazy, to be honest... but I have a facebook post from 3:22 that says that I was finished. IIRC, that was about 10-15 minutes after I actually finished.

Wow, congratulations myddrin, that's quite an accomplishment! Especially considering where you were two, three years ago!

Stu, thanks! It's been a busy (and good!) couple of years. Now I'm kinda casting about for another century near by. I know the Mon Valley one is August, but I can't make that one. I'd like to get one more in this year if I can.

For next year's goals, I'm not so certain... but I'm researching training plans for sprint tri's.

@myddrin, the Wheelmen will have a century and a 200K offered during the Fall Rally, in early September.

@reddan -- Sweet, there's a break in my schedule right around that time! Are the details up online yet or should I keep checking here for an announcement?

@myddrin: keep an eye on this page, as details will be posted eventually. I believe this year's date is Sunday, September 12th.

Cumberland Valley Century is 8/14. I did this a few years ago and it was a nice ride. I think I am going to be out of town this year at this time.

Wheelman rides are always good, but this year I have a conflict with the fall rally too. Bummin.

I got a Specialized Romin saddle. It was 110 bucks so I hope it's worth it. I've been assured that it will be, and it's also backed with a 30 day comfort warranty. Now I just hope my butt heals by Friday.

I'll look into the Cumberland Valley century. No more fundraising rides for me this year, I feel that I've exhausted all resources raising money and I barely made the minimum for the MS150 and TdC