eyewannabike

I'm planning to do the STP. I've signed up and have done some training. I signed up for the CTS as well though I found the rides to be boring for all of the hills. it's really a training series for RSVP since none of the rides have the same characteristics as the STP. I'm planning to do some rides of Lake Washington and probably start doing the first 40 miles of STP and back or work up to that. I've got a novel strategy for the big hill in Puyallup.

I was thinking of doing this in 1 day vs 2. I have a friend who bikes a lot who invited me with his crew. They usually get to PDX by 2-3pm. There's no way that I could pace with them though, so I'm going to pass. I was thinking of doing one day, but I figure I'd get to Portland late and miss out on the food and beer. A day run seems better though I don't want to stop at 100 with a mess of other people. Going to 140 and staying in Longview seems better. I've heard the Lewis and Clark Bridge is really sketchy, so I'll probably just hire a car to take me over.

Anyone have any advice on the 1 day vs 2? I'm pretty sure I could do it in one day, but I'd probably get there late, have no socialization, go to bed and then just head home. Also, any suggestions on where to stay on the way down. I'm likely to book a hotel in longview though most are booked at this time. Money isn't going to be overly relevant. I'm happy to pay for a bed and shower and quiet if I'm riding this far.

tedder

they get in to Portland by 3pm in one day? omg. I totally understand not wanting to deal with the overnight, though.

Don't worry about the longview bridge. It's scary but if you've been riding a bike for long, not a big deal. They usually have ******* (motorcycles) to lead groups across it.

I'll be in town (Portland) that weekend, if you want to do it in one day you can stay with me last-minute.

woodway

One-day STP riders are on their own to get over the bridge. At least they were when I rode a one-day in 2009. Two-day riders were escorted over the bridge back then. They would wait for a mass to collect and escort them over in the general traffic lane. Don't know how they do it now since one STP was plenty enough for me.

IMHO the bridge is not a big deal. I had no issue riding over it. I saw a couple people lose water bottles on the way down so just don't ride too close behind the people in front of you.

If socialization is a primary goal, then do a two-day. On a one-day it is easy to strike up conversations with people as you ride and even join up with others to paceline but that's not like socializing in the beer garden. One of the other threads I saw someone talked about riding the 1st hundred to Centralia, hanging our for a few hours to enjoy the scene there and then jumping back on his bike and riding another 40 miles to have a shorter day 2. Maybe this strategy will work?

eyewannabike

Thanks for the input. The ride is a little different this year. It's going through JBLM with the military's support. Apparently that cuts out the worst part of the route. The Gold Wing association is taking the groups across the bridge as they build up.

That two day strategy is interesting. I might go that route. I'm signing up for a course at Cycle U to work on my drafting. Hopefully that will help some. Thanks for the information.

trainsktg

People solo the Lewis and Clark Bridge all of the time. You'll be safe in either a group or by yourself.

Keith

Black wallnut 

Both options have their strong points. I have done it 3 times. First year was two day, last 2 were one day. First year one ride partner did not train enough and had to abandon. Second year we struggled through, both of us were well prepared as far as fitness but chafing was an issue for me by Lexington, the final 10 miles was quite painful in spite of stopping Longview and changing to a fresh pair of shorts. For most riders that would be hard to do, not so for me because I have my wife drive sag support since she does not ride. last year started with 7 others; 2 abandoned due to heat related illness, one caught a ride for a few miles and we did not finish together. 4 of the 7 had been with me on several training rides and dropped me on those and yet I finished before all of them and in much better shape than any.

Have you done a century with 4K+ of climb recently and finished strong with lots left in the tank? If not then you should consider doing two day as you will struggle with one day. The one day plus 30-40 miles is a good option.

10speedBill

This will be my tenth year. Anyone who can do it in one day and finish by 2:00 should be a pro. You'd have to AVERAGE in excess of 20 mph to do that. I ride to Castle Rock on day one, about 137 miles, and camp at the high school. It's pretty easy to camp there. We order pizza from a local pizza place cause the spaghetti isn't very good. Doing the bridge is not such a big deal if you're an experienced cyclist. If you don't have an escort from the Goldwings, just hook up with a few other riders and "own the lane".
Good luck.

Rocky Gravol

Thanks for the information about Castle Rock,
but does anyone have information about camping at Winlock, Toledo or Vader?

Planning on just rolling out a bivy sack.

10speedBill

I've camped in Winlock several times. The elementary school is close to the course and easy to camp at. The problem with the elementary school is the showers are ICE cold. Straight from some glacier. The high school is about 3 miles off the route and up a hill, but is a far superior facility. The showers are warm. They have a bus to take you back to town if you want to go for dinner. I'd choose the high school. Vader is kinda hot and sum baked. Never camped there but I don't think there is a shower. Can't tell you anything about Toledo.

Rocky Gravol

Thank you.
Last year, in Centralia after a couple of Malted Recovery Beverages
and a nap, I felt ready to ride for a couple of more hours.
So this year I 'm planning on doing just that.
Have friends committed to Vader. I want to try for Winlock at least, or Castle Rock if I can.

Planning on riding self supported.
Going as far as I can, then rolling out my kit.

When people camp outdoors at the schools, are we expected to tip?

trainsktg

This will be my first ride, and I'm planning on being mostly self supported too (I won't be filtering pond water or turning down the spaghetti dinner though).

Not being into a party-ish atmosphere, an experienced STPer confirmed that my choice of staying in Vader was a good one. The town is quiet and is very welcoming to the STP cyclists. The Assembly of God has one mens' and one women's shower, but he didn't mention what temperature the water was kept at.

Keith

klondike300

I believe you have to make reservations at any "official" stop. Even if self supported. They'll probably charge you for camping. We booked late for Castle Rock so we have to pay on site when we pick up our gear Saturday. This year they've upped the menu. "Dinner includes a choice of pulled pork sandwich or chicken wrap, baked potato with trimmings, cole slaw, beverage, and dessert. Dinner begins at 5:00 p.m. and will be served until 9:00 p.m."

Rocky Gravol

I've been reluctant to make reservations,
because I don't know for sure, how far I'll ride.

That's why I say I'm riding self supported.
I won't be throwing a bag on the truck.
I'll be carrying all my gear.

My fear is getting there all tried and just wanting to crash
then having no place to camp.

Is this a real fear?

Rocky Gravol

I found this info.
Looks like there will be fees for camping.
The only free camping will be in Centralia.
Plus if I want to shower to bring my own towel.

MidPoint Lodging | Cascade Bicycle Club

It says the Vader Lions Club is sold out,
so I'm assuming unless it says other wise,
there will be space at the other stops, at lease outdoors.

Castle Rock looks to be the best deal.

ShortLegCyclist

You don't have to carry all your stuff the whole way.

As long as you are going as far as the nearest truck goes, just check your bags in the truck going the shortest distance from start, ride to that first truck, which is probably Centralia, pick up your bags there and you've saved 100 miles of carrying all that stuff.

Then carry it as much farther as you care to go that day.

Rocky Gravol

Yeah I know, but it's principle of the thing.
Maybe it's because I used to go backpacking,
but I like to go randonneuring style.

trainsktg

Me too. It's also a convenient excuse that I can use for being slow .

Keith

velocity

Good to be over it for another year. Bring on 2016

trainsktg

Some unusual highlights:

The hardcore paralyzed college student who rolled into Vader a few hours after I did on a borrowed hand bike.

The family (a dad and four teen-to-early-twenties sons I presume) who rode the entire distance on beach cruisers, one or two of which had wobbly fenders and squeeky chains. It turns out this was their tenth STP on cruisers.

The two or three young men on skateboards that I passed early Saturday and I think I passed again early Sunday.

Keith

tedder

Did you see any unicycles? I see them on STP.

trainsktg

I did not, and didn't hear anyone comment that they had seen any this year. My longtail was unusual enough (I didn't see another, and I only saw one other cargo bike in general) that it got commented on by the announcers at both the start and finish lines. I'm thinking next year I could fatbike it. Unfortunately I don't have enough skill or leg strength for the hills to go really out there to try it on a Penny Farthing.

Keith