Stp

[Veronica]

Anyone know what the elevation gain is on this?

V.

[snapdragen]

Don't know if this will help, it's off the website:

Uphill distance (miles): 73.46
Uphill altitude (feet): 6,652
Maximum altitude (feet): 527

[Veronica]

Thanks - I don't know why I didn't see that on their site. :)

V.

[MM_QFC!]

Hi Veronica - so now you're aware that there really isn't an elevation gain for this ride; it's NOT a hilly ride...riders are better off training for distance as it's an ultra marathon ride - either 200 miles in 1 day as about 1500 of the approx. 8000 riders complete it all on Saturday or by riding it in 2 days, which is essentially 2 back-to-back centuries.
There are certainly topographical considerations, as well as many other factors: thousands of riders (many not experienced in road riding or riding in large groups, doing it with younger children as stokers, etc.), there are tons of pacelines that run the range of totally inexperienced to semi-pro, rollers that come after the halfway point and in the heat of the afternoon if you do it in 1 day, headwinds/crosswinds out across the long open stretches, a bridge across the Columbia River and into Oregon with about 40ish miles left that has a grade, crosswinds and not much of a bike lane (they close the Oregon-bound lanes for the 2 day riders on Sunday, but it's easier to ride it in 1 day...less rider and road traffic), then you can usually count on tailwinds along Hwy 30 into Portland. It's very well supported, with route markings, route booklets, GoldWing motorcycle assn in OR/WA supplementing the Cascade Bicycle club ride vehicles, official rest stops about every 50 miles of the ride, and tons of mini or snack stops set up by community groups along the way, there are even helpful volunteers who put carpet over the rough railroad tracks near Ft. Lewis, WA and gently guide you over them. I think that I've read that you tandem and this is a great ride for tandems with tons of them participating...there was even a kid on a unicycle a few years ago, a woman has done it on roller blades, and many hand-cyclists have been riders the past few years too.
This is probably too much info, but if I've left anything out that you're interested in knowing, just let me know.
Tailwinds!
Mary

[Veronica]

Thanks for the info Mary. I had reread your thread about STP from last year and that got me wondering about it. You can never have too much info about a course. I like to know what's coming. It's easier to talk myself through it.

Veronica