Tips for STP First Timer?

[hayleymajayley]

Hey there! This year I've signed up for the STP for a 2 day ride. Any tips for things to be prepared for or to look out for? Any good rides in South Seattle to help prepare? I'm a Cascade member, so hopefully once it warms up my boyfriend and I will get out on some group rides. I just started riding with him last summer and haven't ridden in a group yet at all, much less 9,000 people!! I really REALLY don't want to be the akward newbie who stops in front of people and does all sorts of annoying newbie things hahah. The only ride I've ever been on is the foothills trail in Orting. I was pretty slow last summer, took me around 2.5 hours (it's about 30 miles I believe?) to finish the trail, though I've been going to the gym a lot over the winter, and hopefully we'll be able to get out and ride starting this weekend!

[ttaylor508]

If you have not ridden in any group rides, you really should do one of the Cascade training rides. Riding with 9,000 of your closest friends, you will definitely need group riding skills to keep yourself and those around you safe. The start line and the first 30 miles are CRAZY! You will encounter hundreds of riders of all skill levels and speed, which in itself can be a road map for disaster if you are not experience with riding in a crowd (I am purposely using the word "crowd" and not "group" because it can be overwhelming at times). If you are prepared both physically and have the riding skills you will have a great time. It really is just a rolling party to Portland.

Oh...and use chamois cream!!!!

[Biciclista]

what TTaylor said. There's no way you're going to do two 100 mile rides back to back if you don't work up to it.
Don't wait until May for it to warm up either. Start riding whenever it's not raining (or snowing) and start riding on the street too. There are literally hundreds of group rides from now until then, so pick some out that aren't too far out of your way (and at easy paces) and go for it.

[salsabike]

Hayley, Cascade has a suggested mileage plan for training for STP, right here:

http://www.cascadebicycleclub.com/EandR/stp/stp_mileage.cfm

You don't have to follow it exactly but it doesn't hurt to try to get close. If you train, you'll be fine and it really can be lots of fun. The other recommendation I have is, leave EARLY, as early as you can. It helps keep you out of the big crowd at least at the beginning, before people start spreading out.

[LilBolt]

Ditto on what everyone else said. You may also may want to consider taking Road 101 from Cycle U (http://www.cycleu.com/services/classes/roadClasses.html). It is $35 and for me it went a long way toward making me more comfortable riding with groups & in a paceline (something you'll really want to take advantage of on STP). Also, in the past, local REI's have hosted free classroom sessions about STP. You'll get some good tips there. Since you live in Auburn, if you aren't hung up on completing every single mile and don't have to worry about having your bags transported for you, Just pick up the route near home. You'll avoid those first chaotic miles and be able to get the butterflies out. Enjoy the journey...and that includes all of the training leading up to the event.

[MM_QFC!]

another multi-STP rider here, chiming in...actually, if you follow the link that Salsa posted about the mileage, you'll get lots of info on training, midpoint lodging, transport, etc...including the STP seminars mentioned here also. They have usually been held at the flagship REI in Seattle, plus a few other locations; they're all run by Cascade Bicycle Club. Also, you'll be able to catch a couple of sessions at the upcoming Bike Expo too, if you can get there.
Here's the link for you to explore: http://www.cascadebicycleclub.com/EandR/stp/stp_trainingsem.cfm

+ on getting some group riding experience; the Cascade Training Series (CTS) is run at several different levels so that you have a chance to get road experience, bike handling and incremental mileage...all geared to help you have a fun, safe STP.

Tailwinds!
Mary

[ttaylor508]

I will chime in here on leaving early. Yes, leave early, but please don't leave with the one day riders at 4:45 am. Having the one day riders start early was a good safety measure that Cascade put in place. Most of the one-day riders have a faster pace and ride in packs. It is better to let them get a head start so as not to cause congestion and excessive passing with varying speeds of riders. No matter what, you will encounter crowds in the first 30 or so miles, there is just no way to avoid it. Leave at 5:15 with the first wave of two day riders and just be prepared for a lot of riders. It will thin out once you get past the REI food stop.

[hayleymajayley]

Awesome! Thanks for all the great ideas :] I had looked into the Cycle U classes a few months ago and I think there was something wrong with their class calendar.. I'll have to give it another look, that's definitely something I'd want to do! Do the classes fill up? Should I sign up pretty far in advance?

And I did print out the STP suggest miles for training, I'm only almost 2 weeks behind, and the miles are less than what I was doing when I first started riding last summer, so I don't think I'll do too terribly!

Leaving early is definitely a good idea, I'll definitely aim for as early as possible!

Haha yeah I've never used chamois cream.... my boyfriend just explained to me about a month ago that you aren't supposed to wear underwear with bike shorts. That'll take some getting used to!

Luckily we started planning early and we got a hotel room at the midpoint, I'm sure I'll be dying for a nice long shower by the end of the day :]

[LilBolt]

It looks like the Cycle U classes start in April. When I took it, it did sell out, but I really don't remember how far in advance I registered.

[hayleymajayley]

Hehe yeah I figured better safe than sorry, so I registered my boyfriend and I for the class on april 4th :] Very exciting! Also next weekend Cascade is having a free clinic, so hopefully we'll go to that too :]