reneuend

I haven't ridden since last Thursday due to Spring chores and the job: Painting house, Garden, and yard work, and longer hours at the workplace. Previously, I was riding 20 miles per weekday, and a couple 40 milers. Now, I have a hilly 300k brevet this Saturday on the same route I did the 200k, but further out.

On the plus side, I have 20 hours to complete it.

On the minus side, it took me 11 hours for the 200k and I bonked after 95 miles. Also, it was sunny last time and this time the forecast is rain. I'm also going to be carrying a little more weight.

It really doesn't matter, I'm going to ride this even if it puts me in an early grave. I will be posting pictures with my new hand-built camera mount.

I guess I really don't have a question (nerves) except maybe what you would do in my position. This will probably open it up for some interesting responses.

merlinextraligh

Eat a lot, drink a lot, pace yourself, find a really big guy to hide behind.

GuitarWizard

I wouldn't worry too much about it - by now, you either have the fitness to complete it or you don't.

Oh yeah, don't forget to eat.

Cromulent

I would eat a lot. After the ride I would have some ice available for my sit bones and the areas around my sit bones. Then I would have a beer. Or six.

Have a great ride!

TheDTrain

Do forget a good breakfast and a night of sleep.

Psimet2001 

HEY! I resemble that remark!

No seriously just avoid black cats, don't walk under ladders, don't open any umbrellas indoors, and toss spilt salt over your shoulder....

...and eat, eat, eat early and often. Make the "bad bonk go bye-bye". Say that 5 times fast.

Good luck! Remember that we do this for fun when you're 250K in and drenched to the bone....

Extort

In the Solvang Double last month it rained for 45 miles, and I actually improved my riding time because I was riding harder to get out of the rain...
remeber to eat and have the rain jacket on before the downpour starts...

GuitarWizard

Out of all the brevet stories I've read online, a good nights' sleep before the event seems to be hard to come by.

Sawtooth

I hear it said that it is actually the night before the eve of the event that matters. Good luck out there and let us know how it goes. You can knock this thing out.

mingsta

Good luck. Remember that with your fitness you can cover practically any distance so long as you take it slowly and eat a gel/bar every hour or so.

Get a good nights sleep and embrace the pain!!!!

reneuend

Ha! In the last brevet, I had 2 guys ride with me and we were the last 3 in! They told me they weren't going to ride this one. I think I'm on my own this time!

Yeah. I was kind of thinking that myself!

I didn't sleep before my last one and I have to get up at 4am to make it to the start. So, you're right. I won't be sleeping much.

Thanks Sawtooth, I think my best chance of any rest will be 2 nights beforehand.

Its something I b**tch about after each long ride, but then the next day I'm ready to do it again! I guess roadies are weird that way.

Ha! Now thats something to look forward too! That reminds me...I'll have to bring something to cover my camera if it rains and something to clean the lens with should it be wet roads.


Thanks everyone. Looks like its unanimous that I'll be sleepless, in pain, drenched, and that I'll find out if I'm really fit enough for rides like this! No matter the outcome, you'll see ride pics.

I have my rainjacket in my handlebar bag, cytomax, mocha-flavored clif shots(sounds and looks gross but actually very good), 2 tubes, tools, 2 headlights, helmet light, rear light, camera, Ibuprofin.

The only thing I haven't decided on is type of dog supressant. There are a lot of dogs on this route. I know there have been a lot of suggestions on detering dogs, but I like the idea of a CO2 airhorn that someone was going to try out on this forum. I just wonder if it worked for them. I've got plenty of weight and might just outrun or run them over!

Extort

If it is going to rain, you might want to pack additional tubes and maybe a spare tire. Me and a buddy went through 8 tubes and one tire because all the junk on the road washes to the side of the road...

Artmo 

But that's only 9mph average speed. You should be able to do that easily if you pace yourself and ensure good nutrition before and during the ride.
Good luck!

reneuend

Ahhh! Good point. I wonder why I never calculated that out?

OK...Its no longer a question of whether I can finish or not, its more on my condition when I finish. But thats a small matter. Thank you for pointing this out. Now I feel better!

ViperZ

Carbo load for weeks on end... Seriously, Good Luck for a successful ride!

GuitarWizard

All the brevets average out to 9.3 mph. The 1200k's average out to 8.3 mph for the 90 hour option.

But...you have to stop, and you have to sleep - at least on the 1200k's unless your name is Scott Dickson or Saunders Whittesley and can click off a 1200k in under 45 hours. Just be sure to pace yourself, eat and drink regularly, be as efficient as possible on and off the bike, and you should be ok.

GuitarWizard

Ok, it's Sunday morning...are ya finished yet?

reneuend

Ha! I was wondering if anyone would be knocking!

My daughter has been sick since Thursday and we weren't able to get her temperature down below 103. So, off she went to the doctor's Saturday morning while I watched our other 2 kids (one of these is also sick by the way). Talk about bad timing. I called Johnny Betrand, the ride coordinator, and told him I had to bail. I'm registering for a 300k up in Columbus, OH on May 20th. The plus side is that I'll have pictures of the Columbus ride, and pictures of the Lexington ride when I return for the 400k on June 3rd.

The ride in Columbus starts at 6am. It will probably take 3 hours to get there. I'll need to be there 1 hour before it starts. - That means I'll have to leave at 2am! Ha! I guess I won't have to worry about sleep! As someone mentioned, get my sleep in before the eve of the ride!

At least now I've got a little more time to prepare.

Thanks for your suggestions.

Stay tuned!

GuitarWizard

Ah....that sucks, but at least you have a little more time to prepare now and that you have your priorities in order (I'm sure some people would've still gone and left the wife home to deal with everything). Be sure to get a couple long rides in (100+ miles) before the 300k, and you should be even better off.

I would also add to NOT do any really hard efforts or anything where you greatly stress the body when the rest of the household isn't feeling well.....you'll become susceptible to catching whatever they had/have.

Extort

Sorry that you could not make it to the event, but with kids it can be difficult always being able to ride for an entire day. I am looking forward to seeing the photos from the May and June rides, those should be great rides!