Stormsedge

I'm about loaded up to beat the traffic to Clarksville, TN for this Labor Day's ride---Sunrise Century. If you haven't tried it, a fairly flat/fast ride with good support offering 100k, 100 mile and some shorter rides. This will be my fourth (the other Rotary club does one in the spring as well). I'm doing the 100k...Katy Flatland vulture jersey/black Domane---back of the pack. Say "hi" if you see me. Cheers!

FlashBazbo

Enjoy! I've ridden the two Clarksville rides more times than I can remember. But not this year. Extremely fast course!

Do you know if it is true that they discontinued the Elite Peloton this year?

MidTNBrad

I've done it several times too. The best one for me was in 2017 when my then 46 year-old self beat my previous 30 year-old self's record. That was the year it got rained out on Labor Day weekend and moved two weeks later. Good luck and enjoy!

mkadam68

Did it back in 2013 or 2014. Started with the peloton, and rode the next 3+ hours alongside Olympian Kent Bostick (nice guy). Fell off the pace around mile 80 or so, then pinch-flatted at maybe mile-90 after crossing some railroad tracks. Finished in 4:12 (winner was 3:50-something). I'd love to do again.

Stormsedge

There was a sign up at registration saying the Elite Peloton was discontinued...not sure of the history there.

I'm a slow rider, but have incrementally increased my speed over the four times I've ridden it. This time, I started to notice indications of a flat (in retrospect...too tired at the time to realize) about a quarter mile from the finish...when I turned on to the HS drive, the rear was noticeably squirrelly...got off for a look and sure enough--very low pressure. Decided to walk of shame the last 600yds to my truck rather than risk banging the rim up. LOL. Patched it yesterday without finding any punctures in the tire carcass...still good this AM.
Did have a couple of folks comment on my Katy jersey during the ride...always short conversations as they blow by. Cheers!

Stormsedge

Going to Huntsville for the All U Can Eat 21 Sep...hope it's cool---ha ha.

FlashBazbo

I suspect the elite peloton took more up more volunteers and money than it was worth. A few years back, it was a big deal, but I think it became less popular (and became infiltrated by riders who didn't contribute pulls). How do you top a 3:44 century?

rubiksoval

In my opinion, the "elite" peloton was way better when everyone started together. The first year I did it was a 3:52 or something and I didn't even see the front until 50 miles in or so because there were so many people so excited to "join in" that they kept the line moving along at a good clip. By mile 50 most of those people had dropped off so then it was down to a good core that continued the pace until mile 90 or so when the final lead group emerged.

I did it again a few years ago and there was a separate "elite" group and we were guttered out and drilling it within 10 minutes. It wasn't very enjoyable..