gc3

#1 most important question....will there be girls riding?

PatrickGSR94

Maybe if it starts out raining I'll do the 40 mile route or something. Who knows, we'll see what it's like on Saturday.

I've only ridden in the rain a couple of times since I started riding again a year ago, and both of those were on my MTB. I've never been in the rain on anything smaller than 1.5" tires. I have this certain fear about tires sliding out from under me...

patentcad

Your new bike and you are water resistant to a depth of one meter.









Two meters, not so much.

Biscayne05

Worrying that your bike will get wet is like worrying about White Bar tape: either you shouldn't have bought it or use the hell out of it.

Young Version

Stay away from painted lines and manhole covers, and be very careful going over any other smooth metallic surfaces like railroad tracks. Otherwise, just take it a little easier around corners and you'll be fine.

hueyhoolihan

i'd like to write an encouraging line about this or that or something, but i'm afraid i'll just be labeled a "facilitator", so...stay at home, wring your hands and write a post about how you feel about it on Sunday.

or better yet, skip the post on Sunday and write Ann Landers, or Phil about it.

ya, ya, harsh...i know.

coasting 

Constant rain, cold, windy, beyond current fitness level. In short, suffering.

PatrickGSR94

I don't have a problem with being in the rain if it's not cold. I *love* running in the rain during the summer. It was more so the bike I was worried about, since it's still pretty new to me. But if it won't be a problem then I'll probably give it a go. And yes I did almost go down across tracks on my MTB when I had the 1.5" street tires on it. If I hadn't been using platform pedals I probably would have gone down.

PatrickGSR94

oh and yes it will take at least 5 hours moving time. It took me 3.5 to do 40 miles, with only 600 feet of climbing. This ride I think is going to be a good bit more hilly, and I'm terrible on hills. I average between 12 and 13 MPH, that's my current fitness level.

LesterOfPuppets

Are those averages solo or group ride?

If you're not good on paceline you should probably stay out of them and plan for the 5 hour ride.

PatrickGSR94

No I do not do pace lines. Have never done them, not fast enough to even consider joining a pace line ride.

I have ridden many times with groups of other people, but not pace lines.

Mike F

This and you may want to take it easy on the decents. Out of paranoia, I tend to (lightly) squeeze a little on the brakes every so often to keep the brake tracks clear of water and grime. I dont know if this is a recommended technique or not but it keeps my speed down too.

Hackman61

I just rode the 47 mile (47 cause I missed a turn marker, doh!) Daffodil Classic here in the PNW. Started out raining on us, changed to mist, hail, sun, more rain and more hail and then just cloudy. I enjoyed every bit of it. My bike was a mess and I had the skunk stripe up my back but it was all worth it. Plus we got strawberry shortcake at the finish line. There were gorgeous brand new road bikes all over and they were all getting wet. I didn't hear one person complaining. Just enjoy the countryside, don't worry about pace and have a great time. It beats mowing the lawn.

jtwilson

Wuss.

eja_ bottecchia

To hurt is human...to suffer is divine.

eja_ bottecchia

OP, if you decide to ride in the rain then pay particular attention to your rims post-ride. Grime, road grit and assorted other crap gets imbedded on your brake pads so when you apply the brakes it is transferred over to the rim. So make sure you give the pads and rims a good cleaning post ride. You may even end up having to change the pads.

Good luck and ride safely. As a diabetic I truly appreciate people who ride in the AD's TdC. Thank you for riding.

coasting 

I've been biting my tongue, but no more. For christ's sake, stop the whining. If you signed up, then do it. Honour your commitments. What are you? Man or mouse?

Mike F

eja_ bottecchia

That is exactly what I was talking about. That kind of stuff, embeded on the brake pads, can really do a number on aluminum rims.

eja_ bottecchia

You are one tough hombre.

coasting 

Iron fist in velvet glove.

Thanks for the brake pad warning. I didn't know and I think recent rain ride may have done a number on my pads. Time to inspect tonight.

valygrl

I would wait until the morning of to decide. If it's actually raining, nope, I wouldn't do it. Why bother? Do the route on Sunday or some other ride you want to do. If you already paid, then good for you, you already supported the charity if you care about that.

If you aren't good at climbing you aren't good at descending, so you will be a hazard to yourself and others descending in the rain, and you don't have the right clothes so you'll be uncomfortable. Why put yourself through that? If you will get a lot of happiness from bragging about it later, then go for it I guess, but that's kind of pathetic. No one gives a crap about how hardcore you are because you did a 62 mile ride in the rain.

I have never, ever, understood why one would want to do something that is supposed to be for fun, if it's not going to be fun in the conditions that happen.

eja_ bottecchia

Wise words!

coasting 

Not just bragging rights. Strutting rights too.

VegasVic

Nope, I ride for fun, and 4+ hours of being soaking wet doesn't fit that category. Evidently it does for a lot of other people.