OUC

Any body do the Grand Tour last year? What food was at the end?

Last time I did it was 2006. I signed up for the 126 miler. I'm not sure, but I think that at the end, they have a barbeque waiting for you. I remember chicken and burgers. I always look forward to chowing down at the end of a long ride on the stuff I normally deprive myself of.

Al Bundy

Do you have to be a member of the LA wheelmen to do this?
cheers
mike

OUC

no. Open to anyone. You have your choice of doing 126 miles, 200, 300 or 400 miles. It's very well supported too from what I remember. I completed a 200 and attempted a 300 but broke a rear wheel on the last stretch.

tj90

I just registered today. Planning on the highland 200 - my first double and really looking forward to it! Im concerned it might be cold on the coast and hot inland. Anyone have a good idea of the temps? Not sure how to dress.

big john

L.A. Wheelmen= good support, friendly people, and low prices. Sign up by tomorrow night to get the early price. Yes, tons of food at the end.
I doubt it will be cold anywhere.

augustgarage

According to their website, the deadline was Sunday:

Late Fee after 6/20 (postmark, on-line, or in person), add $20.

Still, not a bad deal though...

DanteB

If normal, it'll in the mid 50's on the coast in the morning with some fog. As you go inland the temps will go up, but this year looks like it's not going to be as hot as it has been in the past few years. They're call for temps in Ojai in the high 70's, in the past it's been in the high 90's. It looks like it is going to be a very comfortable day for riding. The section from the Moorepark rest stop to the lunch stop at Ojai is a long section and it is easy to run out of water. I usually stop in Santa Paula at one of the little stores and buy some water and a soda.

Biker395 

Tell Potrero Road I said hello.

tj90

I heard about Potrero. I put on the 12/26 cassette for the hills.

Thanks for the feedback on dress. Ill wear a short sleeve and just suffer in the morning until I warm up. I dont want to carry anything more than I have to on this ride.

Im planning on carrying lots of cash in addition to the sag stops for convenience store stops - like Santa Paula. I just dont want to carry a camelbak. I hear the key is to doubles is to eat drink before your thirsty and hungry. Im hoping the roads are rural and scenic, but dont mind seeing a 7-11 every 10 mi or so!

Biker395 

LOL ... good for you! Trust me, when you round that little plateau section, make the turn to the right and look up that extended 18% grade, you will not regret it.

The LAW do a great job on the ride. You'll have a great time. Regale us with a TR when you return, eh?

BTW, the weather should be fab. Cool on the coast in the morning, but not cold. It will heat up as the day goes on, but the hottest you're likely to suffer is on the Ventura to Ojai stretch. And you should have favorable tailwinds on the way back to Malibu.

CbadRider

I did the highland route last year with two 24 oz water bottles. It was in the high 90's at Ojai, and I never ran out of fluid. I always filled up at the checkpoints and drank whatever other beverages or soda they had while I was stopped. They also have a bag drop-off early in the ride so you don't have to carry your lights and jacket all day.

Added note: They had homemade chili and salad after the ride last year. It was some of the best stuff I've tasted after eating Clif bars all day.

deitman

Looks like reasonable temps throughout the day...and if its cloudy all day at the beach, that means a lot less traffic along that final Malibu stretch than there was last year.

Gotta time my ride so I'm either in Santa Paula or Ojai to watch the USA game if they get out of Group C in 1st place...sure it'll put a damper on my overall, but I gotta have my priorities even if I won't be drinking beer during the match.

WhiteCarbonDude

I'll see you guys out there, say hi when you get to my check point. I am heading up the Rincon stop.

DanteB

Even with the 12/26 you'll be looking for more gears!

Are you going to be doing GT this year?

My favorite stop!

VanceMac

I'll be doing the double metric with a handful of La Grangers. Yell out "d0uche!" if you see me.

tj90

Killjoy.

We will see you out at Rincon!

WhiteCarbonDude

I'm working the late shift, 4-midnight. So unless your slow you won't see me and the Popsicles will be gone by the time I get there.

Extort

Portrero...
Fun little hill... my first time up I think I topped out at about 6mph...

CbadRider

Nope. I started a new job a month ago and my accrued vacation days were reset to zero.

DanteB

We'll miss you.

Rick@OCRR

I'll be out there, doing the Highland Double. I should be in OCRR kit, so easy to recognize, and riding the Ti GT instead of the Calfee this time.

Dante, good luck on the Triple!

Yes Victor, we will think of you while riding up Potrero.

Rick / OCRR

jeff^d

I'm in for Highland Double. Will be on an early 90s Kestrel 200SC. Wondering... should I even bother bringing any food? Support for this ride seems like it's pretty good, thinking I'll just stock up at aid stations.

OUC

Did I hear food??? I usually carry HEED with me, but emailed the LA Wheelmen to ask if they would have any. They said yes, to HEED, about 2 others I can't remember but that maybe I should carry some just in case. Last I remember, the stops we're swelling with food. I probably will carry powder for one bottle and one granola bar. Their support is great as I remember.

WhiteCarbonDude

Only if there is something you just have to have. I need Hammer Nutrition. So I ask the ride promoter what they serve before I do a ride like this. Turns out The Grand Tour uses HEED, Sustained Energy, Endurolytes, Hammer Gel and Perpetuem so if you use Hammer stuff you'll be good. They also have a variety of non-liquid foods at the stops as well. The spread is pretty good, anywhere form cookies to fruit and granola bars. One stop may even have Popsicles! But like I said if there is something you always have on a ride it's best to carry it with you.

Curbendo

I decided about ten months ago that I would aim for this to be my first double, but two days ago I got a mysterious sore throat. If this doesn't clear up mighty fast, I'm going to be pretty disappointed to flush all that time and training down the tubes until next year.

But, thinking optimistically, still I ask... Are the five rest stops on the map the only places they supply water, or are there smaller supported water stops along the way?