Tulsa Tough Update!

[BabyBlueNTulsa]

From Jim Beach - one of the coordinators.. I just tagged this from TT's Facebook page:

"Tulsa Tough this year is going to be a spectacular show. Confirmed race teams include Rock, Racing, Ouch presented by Maxxis, Jelly Belly, to name a few. Women's and men's pro crit champions will be here."

If you're nearby... come on down! I've posted about Tulsa Tough before, but you guys who haven't come down yet... you're missing a great great weekend event!

Hey Katie - you getting super duper excited yet???

[BabyBlueNTulsa]

I'm at the volunteer mtg right now.. Just heard Floyd Landis and other big names will be here this year!

USA Cycling officials have called Tulsa Tough THE racing weekend of the whole country !! Woo hoo Tulsa!!

[indysteel]

Sounds great! Are you still planning on the back-to-back centuries? I'm looking forward to your ride report.

Best of luck!

[BabyBlueNTulsa]

Indy, I really was..up until about a week ago. So many things flew at me in the last month, I didn't get near the training mileage needed to accomplish this goal. :-( So, I made the difficult decision to just do the double metric.

It actually works out better for me in other ways. I'm now free to help corner marshall the pro crits Sat afternoon. Found out at the meeting they were short a person...so that works out. If I'd been doing the century, I would miss all the rAcing (ie hot pro racers). Heehee. Oh well, it's a disappointment, but there's always next year, right?

And next year, you're coming right??

I'll definitely post ride reports...maybe even while I'm out there- mobile uploads to my Facebook page??

[indysteel]

I'm kind of in the same boat as you. I normally do the "full" Horsey Hundred over Memorial Day weekend. Last year, that was 180 miles over two days. I felt great. Mr. Silver (from TE) even burned up the road on Sunday's ride.

This year, I've decided to do a shorter route on Saturday and to play Sunday by ear. I just haven't able to train as much between travel and bad weather. Plus, I haven't gotten the fit on my new bike quite right just yet. It's been kind of a bummer. I'm making progress, but it's been a bit of trial and error.

After responding to your post last night, I actually did a search on Mapquest to figure out how far away Tulsa is from Indianapolis! I think it was 640 odd miles. That's doable, right?

Be good and have a great ride!

[BabyBlueNTulsa]

Yeah! Totally doable! You need to come (and bring friends)!!

It's gonna be a big party!

Another TE gal is coming in from the Fayetteville AR area to ride this year. We should have some good ride reports for everyone. :-)

[Aggie_Ama]

Sounds like fun! We were going to go until I switched jobs and have no vacay yet. Hopefully a successful year means it will stay on the calendar. :)

[BabyBlueNTulsa]

Excitement reaching fever pitch over here... I've got my cowbell ready... :D


I know I've read reports from some of you on TE about meeting pros..one even Landis..and said he was a really nice guy, etc etc.. Am hoping to meet him Thur or maybe Friday evening (he's having a dedicated autograph session)

Part of me is a little curious if we have any pros already showing up and what if maybe some show up at our Wednesday Night Hammerfest... ??
LOL

Don't mind me gals...feel completely like a Fred..but I don't care (too much).. :P

[BabyBlueNTulsa]

P.S. If any of you are coming into town for this and need anything - PM me.

[katieliz]

Hi all, Long time listener first time caller.....

I'm the gal who came over from Arkansas to ride Tulsa Tough - thanks for the shout out, BabyBlue! All in all it was a good choice for my first multi-day endurance effort. Finished strong, only lost 5 minutes on the second day despite the greater difficulty. I risked a lot taking my new bike over--upgraded to a Ruby Pro last Thursday. Fortunately my bike shop takes good care of me and set it up just like the old bike. However lesson learned - when you go from Shimano to SRAM, practice the double-tap on BOTH sides before heading out for a 100k jaunt ;)

The rides were different both days - there was no overlap so you saw different parts of the countryside with lots of good scenery. The first day was rolling with a few long, gradual ascents but no significant climbs that hit you in the face. The second day, however, two short STEEP climbs were tucked in the middle of the route like a cute little secret from the organizers - but the joke is on them: I like to climb!

If you can ever make it to Tulsa, I recommend this event! Folks were very nice - ride support was everywhere, rest stops very well stocked. (For future reference, if you ever man a rest stop in hot weather, DO put towels in the ice chests - it was like heaven on the back of my neck!) Also, ladies, if you haven't tried it, put some of the ice down the front of your sports bra. Some may look at you funny, but it made all the difference in the world on the first hot ride of the year!

Watch out Tulsa, this lady may go for the Deuce in the next couple of years (If only to have my name announced during the men's professional race ;) )

[Vireo]

Indy, I really was..up until about a week ago. So many things flew at me in the last month, I didn't get near the training mileage needed to accomplish this goal. :-( So, I made the difficult decision to just do the double metric.

It actually works out better for me in other ways. I'm now free to help corner marshall the pro crits Sat afternoon. Found out at the meeting they were short a person...so that works out. If I'd been doing the century, I would miss all the rAcing (ie hot pro racers). Heehee. Oh well, it's a disappointment, but there's always next year, right?

And next year, you're coming right??

I'll definitely post ride reports...maybe even while I'm out there- mobile uploads to my Facebook page??

The event will be there next year. Meanwhile, would you mind telling me how your nutrition and training progressed after our exchanges?

[BabyBlueNTulsa]

Katie,
You rocked Tulsa Tough! I saw your times... AWESOME chickie!!

It was great seeing you there and meeting your new stablemate(she's a beaut!!)! I'm so glad you chose TT as your first multi-day endurance ride! Sounds like you enjoyed watching the criterium series too. Those men and women are truly nuts! (or as the announcers kept saying - TULSA GLADIATORS!!! LOL) So many crashes... ouch..

I was pouring ice water down my shirt Saturday too!! LOL Yeah - the looks I got.. Oh well..whatever works, right?

Now that you've "broken the suit" <so to speak>, I hope you'll be posting on TE more often..and PLEASE... DO let me know about rides in your neck of the woods! Let me know how your racing career is going as you get into it! :)

Tailwinds (and no big dogs- heh heh)
Susan


Hi all, Long time listener first time caller.....

I'm the gal who came over from Arkansas to ride Tulsa Tough - thanks for the shout out, BabyBlue! All in all it was a good choice for my first multi-day endurance effort. Finished strong, only lost 5 minutes on the second day despite the greater difficulty. I risked a lot taking my new bike over--upgraded to a Ruby Pro last Thursday. Fortunately my bike shop takes good care of me and set it up just like the old bike. However lesson learned - when you go from Shimano to SRAM, practice the double-tap on BOTH sides before heading out for a 100k jaunt ;)

The rides were different both days - there was no overlap so you saw different parts of the countryside with lots of good scenery. The first day was rolling with a few long, gradual ascents but no significant climbs that hit you in the face. The second day, however, two short STEEP climbs were tucked in the middle of the route like a cute little secret from the organizers - but the joke is on them: I like to climb!

If you can ever make it to Tulsa, I recommend this event! Folks were very nice - ride support was everywhere, rest stops very well stocked. (For future reference, if you ever man a rest stop in hot weather, DO put towels in the ice chests - it was like heaven on the back of my neck!) Also, ladies, if you haven't tried it, put some of the ice down the front of your sports bra. Some may look at you funny, but it made all the difference in the world on the first hot ride of the year!

Watch out Tulsa, this lady may go for the Deuce in the next couple of years (If only to have my name announced during the men's professional race ;) )

[BabyBlueNTulsa]

The event will be there next year. Meanwhile, would you mind telling me how your nutrition and training progressed after our exchanges?

Yes! NEXT year!!

George - I sent you a (long) PM. :)

[photosbychris]

Hello, I shot a lot of photos at the Tulsa Tough. If you raced, know a racer, or were a spectator and want photos please let me know. I will happily share the photos with you. It was a great event! There was a huge party on the climb Sunday. It was insane! Think Speedo wearin', Sombrero wearin', Flag waving crazy fans!

Here is my flickr link to some samples:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28705767@N03/

Also, Floyd was very nice. The other riders were also very nice. The pros were actually friendlier than the amateur riders.

Take care,

Chris.