Hubba 200 ride report
So despite the forecast of snow and ice on the road, about 50 of us decided to tackle our scheduled ride for last Saturday. I think there were initially 74 people signed up, so we still had 2/3 of the riders show up despite the forecast.
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/292646
The ride was supposed to be 200 kilometers. This would be my longest ride ever and greatly eclipsing anything close since the summer of last year.
The start time for the ride was 7 a.m. and OMG was it cold out. I bundled up for the ride, and I think that may have been my downfall (more later). Being a Brevet ride, it's supposed to be self supported, no sag wagon to pick your sorry butt up if you cant go on, no aid stations with food, just check in locations to prove you rode the route. In some cases the check in is go to joe bobs quickie mart and buy something. Keep the receipt it will show the date and time and that will be your proof that you were there.
The ride started off great the pack was going 15-20 mph, it probably would have been a better average if it wasn't for a couple stop lights. I had one ride in so far of approx 40 miles on the new bike and things felt pretty good. I was a little sore in the seat area, but figured that since there were checkin locations, I'd get a chance to get off the bike and stretch a bit.
Well with the pack still tightly together for the first 15 miles I was thinking that everything was going great. I was able to move around in the pack front to back draft, pull, just enjoy the ride. I figured if it would continue like that it was going to be a breeze.
Then mile 19 kicked me in the gut. Our first noticeable hill and the ride blew apart and stretched out. The mountain goats took this opportunity to punish everyone who was silly enough to try and keep up (guilty I didn't want to ride by myself so I tried to keep up) I managed for a while, but when we hit the first real climb at mile 28 I was left for dead by the lead pack, and I spent the next 25 miles riding by myself.
Here is where I ran into the problem with dressing for warmth. I had on a compression shirt, some riding sleeves, my riding jersey, and my full length riding coat, and It was still freaking cold. I also had on a thin cycling face mask that was pulled up to cover my ears and top of my head, as well as a helmet cover to protect from the rain that was forecast. The bottom half was encased in full length riding pants with my rain pants over the top.
Even with all that clothing on, the ride was cold. The low was 34 and the high was 50 with cloud cover and some occasional mist/sprinkles. We even got some rain and hail at the summit between Boonville and Ukiah. I'm going to have to look up wind chill because I tell you that 34 degrees sure felt a lot colder while descending the hills after working up a good sweat climbing them.
After the check in in Boonville mile (55), we had 10 miles up uphill and this destroyed me. I wasn't sure I was going to make it and decided to call my wife for a pickup. Luckily most of the final few miles were down hill. Just to give you an idea how steep, my Garmin clocked a top speed of 55.6 mph at one point while coasting down the hill, the maximum grade was 23.8%
The countryside was beautiful, but the ride was a little depressing for me because I didn't finish.
However, I have learned a few things from this ride.
1. I don't like to ride alone. Grinding over half of this ride alone uphill both ways through the snow sucks. It's much better when you have people to draft with on the flat sections.
2. I need to find a compramise on the clothing, or just decide it's too cold and not go. I think I was way behind on what I was sweating out and what I was taking in because I didn't percieve it due to the temperature.
3. I didn't get enough time to stretch it out and eat properly at the check in location(s). I was in too big of a hurry trying to catch the group in front of me so that I wouldn't have to ride alone.
4. Need to keep modifying my food sources and electrolytes. In addition to my food, I was taking electorlyte tablets and had an electrolyte replacement drink and I still got leg cramping.
5. I need to go back to having my watch remind me to drink. I think that because it was so cold out I didn't drink early or often enough and I paid for that later. I know I didn't drink enough because after all I eventually drank and ate I was still down 1.4 pounds from my starting weight for the ride. I guarantee I physically ate and drank enough to cover that, so obviously I sweated out much more than I had anticipated.
6. I went out the next day and bought a new seat. That seat ate me up like no other seat I have ever used. I had on my good cycling pants with the nice padding and that seat just killed me. It also felt a bit short. When climbing I like to push back in the seat, but I couldn't do that with the original seat. It felt like I was going to push back off the end of the seat. I was actually worried I had done some nerve damage, as things were numb for a whole day after that ride.
7. Need more miles. Need more hills. Need more mountains. Need to lose some more weight. They say that top end climbers on average weigh 2 pounds for every inch of height. That means in my case 144 pounds. I'll never in my life see 144 pounds, but I can sure do something better than 200. I'm not going to be able to avoid the hills. All of the rides around here are laced with hills.
Anyhow it was a bit of a let down, but I am glad I did what I did. I'm not giving up, I still have a couple more 100 mile rides scheduled for later this year. I'll be trying to pile up the 40-60 mile rides to build some endurance and seat time between now and then.
Scott
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/292646
The ride was supposed to be 200 kilometers. This would be my longest ride ever and greatly eclipsing anything close since the summer of last year.
The start time for the ride was 7 a.m. and OMG was it cold out. I bundled up for the ride, and I think that may have been my downfall (more later). Being a Brevet ride, it's supposed to be self supported, no sag wagon to pick your sorry butt up if you cant go on, no aid stations with food, just check in locations to prove you rode the route. In some cases the check in is go to joe bobs quickie mart and buy something. Keep the receipt it will show the date and time and that will be your proof that you were there.
The ride started off great the pack was going 15-20 mph, it probably would have been a better average if it wasn't for a couple stop lights. I had one ride in so far of approx 40 miles on the new bike and things felt pretty good. I was a little sore in the seat area, but figured that since there were checkin locations, I'd get a chance to get off the bike and stretch a bit.
Well with the pack still tightly together for the first 15 miles I was thinking that everything was going great. I was able to move around in the pack front to back draft, pull, just enjoy the ride. I figured if it would continue like that it was going to be a breeze.
Then mile 19 kicked me in the gut. Our first noticeable hill and the ride blew apart and stretched out. The mountain goats took this opportunity to punish everyone who was silly enough to try and keep up (guilty I didn't want to ride by myself so I tried to keep up) I managed for a while, but when we hit the first real climb at mile 28 I was left for dead by the lead pack, and I spent the next 25 miles riding by myself.
Here is where I ran into the problem with dressing for warmth. I had on a compression shirt, some riding sleeves, my riding jersey, and my full length riding coat, and It was still freaking cold. I also had on a thin cycling face mask that was pulled up to cover my ears and top of my head, as well as a helmet cover to protect from the rain that was forecast. The bottom half was encased in full length riding pants with my rain pants over the top.
Even with all that clothing on, the ride was cold. The low was 34 and the high was 50 with cloud cover and some occasional mist/sprinkles. We even got some rain and hail at the summit between Boonville and Ukiah. I'm going to have to look up wind chill because I tell you that 34 degrees sure felt a lot colder while descending the hills after working up a good sweat climbing them.
After the check in in Boonville mile (55), we had 10 miles up uphill and this destroyed me. I wasn't sure I was going to make it and decided to call my wife for a pickup. Luckily most of the final few miles were down hill. Just to give you an idea how steep, my Garmin clocked a top speed of 55.6 mph at one point while coasting down the hill, the maximum grade was 23.8%
The countryside was beautiful, but the ride was a little depressing for me because I didn't finish.
However, I have learned a few things from this ride.
1. I don't like to ride alone. Grinding over half of this ride alone uphill both ways through the snow sucks. It's much better when you have people to draft with on the flat sections.
2. I need to find a compramise on the clothing, or just decide it's too cold and not go. I think I was way behind on what I was sweating out and what I was taking in because I didn't percieve it due to the temperature.
3. I didn't get enough time to stretch it out and eat properly at the check in location(s). I was in too big of a hurry trying to catch the group in front of me so that I wouldn't have to ride alone.
4. Need to keep modifying my food sources and electrolytes. In addition to my food, I was taking electorlyte tablets and had an electrolyte replacement drink and I still got leg cramping.
5. I need to go back to having my watch remind me to drink. I think that because it was so cold out I didn't drink early or often enough and I paid for that later. I know I didn't drink enough because after all I eventually drank and ate I was still down 1.4 pounds from my starting weight for the ride. I guarantee I physically ate and drank enough to cover that, so obviously I sweated out much more than I had anticipated.
6. I went out the next day and bought a new seat. That seat ate me up like no other seat I have ever used. I had on my good cycling pants with the nice padding and that seat just killed me. It also felt a bit short. When climbing I like to push back in the seat, but I couldn't do that with the original seat. It felt like I was going to push back off the end of the seat. I was actually worried I had done some nerve damage, as things were numb for a whole day after that ride.
7. Need more miles. Need more hills. Need more mountains. Need to lose some more weight. They say that top end climbers on average weigh 2 pounds for every inch of height. That means in my case 144 pounds. I'll never in my life see 144 pounds, but I can sure do something better than 200. I'm not going to be able to avoid the hills. All of the rides around here are laced with hills.
Anyhow it was a bit of a let down, but I am glad I did what I did. I'm not giving up, I still have a couple more 100 mile rides scheduled for later this year. I'll be trying to pile up the 40-60 mile rides to build some endurance and seat time between now and then.
Scott
The first time you do something - It's going to be a personal record!
Check out RUSA
They do Randoneering events with a lot of local clubs
http://www.rusa.org/
It's all about endurance riding and it is time based, but everyone who finishes is a winner. They don't track your time other than to say you have 13 hours to complete it or xxx hours for this distance. The guy who finishes in 13 hours is just as highly regarded as the guy or girl who finishes in 10 hours. The finishers list is displayed alphabetically for record keeping only.
They have 200, 300, 400, 600, 1200 kilometer rides. This is a qualifying year for the Paris-Brest- Paris ride it's http://www.rusa.org/pbp.html
If you check out this link you cand find the endurance rides in your area.
http://www.rusa.org/cgi-bin/eventsearch_GF.pl
Scott
They do Randoneering events with a lot of local clubs
http://www.rusa.org/
It's all about endurance riding and it is time based, but everyone who finishes is a winner. They don't track your time other than to say you have 13 hours to complete it or xxx hours for this distance. The guy who finishes in 13 hours is just as highly regarded as the guy or girl who finishes in 10 hours. The finishers list is displayed alphabetically for record keeping only.
They have 200, 300, 400, 600, 1200 kilometer rides. This is a qualifying year for the Paris-Brest- Paris ride it's http://www.rusa.org/pbp.html
If you check out this link you cand find the endurance rides in your area.
http://www.rusa.org/cgi-bin/eventsearch_GF.pl
Scott
The first time you do something - It's going to be a personal record!
sounds like a tough day. you are on the right track though. i'm with you on riding alone, i did the RAIN ride alone for the most part and it can get pretty mind numbing and lonely out there. and holy crap, 55MPH! that would terrify me screaming down the mountain!
definitely up your miles and hills (getting ready for a century i make sure to get at least one 70 miler in, for the RAIN ride, at least one century in), but don't forget to hit the spin classes and weights. the other end of the spectrum you didn't mention on the power to weight ratio, if you can't reduce the weight, you can sure up the power. that's how i do it, i'm a solid 240 without gear on (and i have a mostly aluminum ride) and it's taken me a while to up my power, but it was able to get me through some pretty hairy climbs intact. best of luck, one of these days we need to pick a ride for a bunch of us to do, maybe for late season next year if we all have fun in Disney :)
definitely up your miles and hills (getting ready for a century i make sure to get at least one 70 miler in, for the RAIN ride, at least one century in), but don't forget to hit the spin classes and weights. the other end of the spectrum you didn't mention on the power to weight ratio, if you can't reduce the weight, you can sure up the power. that's how i do it, i'm a solid 240 without gear on (and i have a mostly aluminum ride) and it's taken me a while to up my power, but it was able to get me through some pretty hairy climbs intact. best of luck, one of these days we need to pick a ride for a bunch of us to do, maybe for late season next year if we all have fun in Disney :)
Where are we going?? And why am I in this handbasket??
right now. somewhere. somebody is working harder than you.
right now. somewhere. somebody is working harder than you.
That sounds cool.
I would love to do a ride. The worst part is that shipping bikes is expensive.
Like the cost of an extra airline ticket kind of expensive.
I have seen it recommended that renting a bike when you get there is a more cost effective choice, but then it's not your bike you are riding......
Scott
I would love to do a ride. The worst part is that shipping bikes is expensive.
Like the cost of an extra airline ticket kind of expensive.
I have seen it recommended that renting a bike when you get there is a more cost effective choice, but then it's not your bike you are riding......
Scott
The first time you do something - It's going to be a personal record!
Sounds like a really tough day, personally, no matter how much I try to bundle up, cold rides just zap me. You went out there and tried and I give you big props for that. Those hills sound killer, I can't fathom going 55 mph down a hill, the thought is just too scary for me.
I am used to riding alone, I have never ridden in a group. I seem to do ok, but now I wonder how I would do in a group.
I am doing my first organized ride on March 18th, its a fully support ride with aid stations and SAG support, I am doing to metric century option, so 64 miles.
I am used to riding alone, I have never ridden in a group. I seem to do ok, but now I wonder how I would do in a group.
I am doing my first organized ride on March 18th, its a fully support ride with aid stations and SAG support, I am doing to metric century option, so 64 miles.
Jillian
Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran, Army Wife, 3x Ironman Finisher
Dude I think you did a great job. I struggle for 10 miles on a stationary bike at this point so seeing something like this is major insperation.
Be proud of what you did accomplish even if it wasn't exactly what you wanted to accomplish.
Be proud of what you did accomplish even if it wasn't exactly what you wanted to accomplish.
Paul C.
First 5K 9/27/20 46:32 - 11 weeks post op (PR 28:55 8/15/11)
First 10K 7/04/2011 1:03 First 15K 9/18/2011 1:37
First Half Marathon 10/02/2011 2:27:44 (PR 2:24:35)
First Half Ironman 9/30/12 7:32:04
First 5K 9/27/20 46:32 - 11 weeks post op (PR 28:55 8/15/11)
First 10K 7/04/2011 1:03 First 15K 9/18/2011 1:37
First Half Marathon 10/02/2011 2:27:44 (PR 2:24:35)
First Half Ironman 9/30/12 7:32:04
Sounds like you did a lot of learning, and that is a reward in itself. Plus, you get extra kudos for not wimping out!
Are you doing the Wine country century? I'm trying to buy a registartion, but it's looks like that's not going to happen. I still haven't done my first century yet, but I rode 200miles this week so I'm guna be ready!
Congrats on riding alone, in the cold, and the wet, and speeding at 55mph...that's just sick! (in a good way
)
:Danni
Are you doing the Wine country century? I'm trying to buy a registartion, but it's looks like that's not going to happen. I still haven't done my first century yet, but I rode 200miles this week so I'm guna be ready!
Congrats on riding alone, in the cold, and the wet, and speeding at 55mph...that's just sick! (in a good way
):Danni
:Danni >>>AIDS/LifeCycle 10 & 11 Finisher: 545miles on the bike in 7 days <<<
HW390/SW340/CW 208/GW170
Yes I am doing the WCC it's a great ride. I volunteered last year.
Hey if you can't find an entry to buy, you might be interested in volunteering.
If you volunteer, they host the ride the following week for everyone who volunteered. It would be free and they fully support it with rest stops and a catered BBQ at the end of the ride.
Just thought I'd mention it as an option. There won't be as many riders on the volunteer ride as the paid ride, and I volunteered last year, so I wanted to ride with the big mass of people this year.
I'm also doing Levi's GranFondo and I'm riding the bike portion of the Full Vineman as part of a relay team.
If you want I could put the word out to the local cycling club that you are looking for an entry.
Let me know.
Scott
Hey if you can't find an entry to buy, you might be interested in volunteering.
If you volunteer, they host the ride the following week for everyone who volunteered. It would be free and they fully support it with rest stops and a catered BBQ at the end of the ride.
Just thought I'd mention it as an option. There won't be as many riders on the volunteer ride as the paid ride, and I volunteered last year, so I wanted to ride with the big mass of people this year.
I'm also doing Levi's GranFondo and I'm riding the bike portion of the Full Vineman as part of a relay team.
If you want I could put the word out to the local cycling club that you are looking for an entry.
Let me know.
Scott
The first time you do something - It's going to be a personal record!
Oh awesome I want to volunteer! That sounds like fun! How do go about doing that?
I'm so jealous you got in on the GranFondo, I tried to get in but I was having computer problems and now it's all full...well the Gran anyways... so I'll have to wait till they start selling registrations in the summer.
And hey I might be doing the Vineman as a relay too...small world. I've got the runner, but the swimmer is being wishy washy LOL, I really want to do it, as I've never even been to a Triathlon and feel like it would be a good place to start.
I'm so jealous you got in on the GranFondo, I tried to get in but I was having computer problems and now it's all full...well the Gran anyways... so I'll have to wait till they start selling registrations in the summer.
And hey I might be doing the Vineman as a relay too...small world. I've got the runner, but the swimmer is being wishy washy LOL, I really want to do it, as I've never even been to a Triathlon and feel like it would be a good place to start.
:Danni >>>AIDS/LifeCycle 10 & 11 Finisher: 545miles on the bike in 7 days <<<
HW390/SW340/CW 208/GW170
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