cool breeze - august 19th

[caligurl]

ok.... i started a cool breeze thread so those going can talk about it (seems we have conversation going on in various different threads about it right now!)

i know a lot of us seem to be going... and some are doing the metric... some the century... some the double metric... but one thing seems that ALL of us LOVE the jersey (and socks!)

info (http://www.cibike.org/page5.html)

http://www.cibike.org/2006-poster-legal-COLOR.gif

[bcipam]

Ok Ok Ok just because of the jersey, I signed up. It's not like I regret signing up cause this is my favorite ride its just 1) I had planned to just recovery this year and do no organized rides and 2) I need another jersey like I need to have surgery again - no way!

Well it looks like I need to step up my training. I know I can do the metric no problem but would like to do the Century. We will see.

Another option and alot of friends do it this way is to do the "back half" metric. Park at Bates Road and do the Century route around and back to Bates. Get to see the beautiful Century route but lose the 40 miles of flat riding. This route is all hills!!!!:eek:

[tprevost]

Cali,

You are too cute! I'm definately in and I am DEFINATELY doing the 100! So, if I start an hour before you, maybe we'll finish at the same time! :p

I sure wish you guys could drive up the night before so we could have a before ride dinner! ... hey, maybe we could have a dennys breakfast!!!

I still haven't gone online and bought the jersey yet.... gotta do that NOW!!!

I can't wait for this ride, its gonna be so purdy!

Tracy

[Brandy]

I'm in too. I'm planning to drive up the morning of...unless of course, Tracy has room for me in her hotel ;) I can't wait!!! Oh...and I'm planning to ride the century and I'd like to start as early as possible so I have enough time to finish!

[tprevost]

Okay I was starting to get worried with Pam's comments on climbing HOWEVER, I did the 68 mile route of Cruisin' the Conejo and that had 3000 feet of climbing (Cali, please correct me if I am wrong 100mile = 6,000+ climbing, 62 miler = 4500 of climbing and the 68 had 3000 feet... is that right? They took it off the website so I can't check it???)

Anyway, if I can do 3000 in 68 then 3500 over 100 isn't much different... right :confused: ??? Someone please pipe up and sooth my nerves! :eek:

But, I did just buy my jersey and socks! :p hee hee hee, they are SO cool!

Trac'

[caligurl]

Okay I was starting to get worried with Pam's comments on climbing HOWEVER, I did the 68 mile route of Cruisin' the Conejo and that had 3000 feet of climbing (Cali, please correct me if I am wrong 100mile = 6,000+ climbing, 62 miler = 4500 of climbing and the 68 had 3000 feet... is that right? They took it off the website so I can't check it???)

Anyway, if I can do 3000 in 68 then 3500 over 100 isn't much different... right :confused: ??? Someone please pipe up and sooth my nerves! :eek:

But, I did just buy my jersey and socks! :p hee hee hee, they are SO cool!

Trac'

sounds right to me! and an additional 500 feet over an additional 32 miles should be a little "easier" i would think! but then... that's all relative to the steepness of the climbs! i think you will do fine on cool breeze! when bc68 signs on... she can give you some input for the century route... since she did that one.... i know a LOT of the two routes overlapped (actually i guess a lot of all four overlapped in some ways)... but i don't know which parts (with the exeption of knowing about the GAWDAWFUL HILL! and ya... i'm still griping about it almost a year later... and once i have to climb it again... i'll gripe about it for another year!)

[bcipam]

Here's the thing about climbing - take two rides with the same mileage - say 100 miles and same elevation gain say 3000'. Are the rides the exact same? Well no. One ride can be tougher than the other. The Conejo ride also has alot of climbing and is on par with the Cool Breeze but most of the Cool Breeze's elevation is gained in the middle 60 miles. The front and back 20 is flat, flat, flat. There are a couple of tough hills- the one through Summerland comes to mind, but you and Brandy are stronger climbers than I I can do the climbs just slow. I'm much faster through the flats and descents. So basically you guys will beat me up hill but I'll catch you on the down.

[caligurl]

"It's okay Pam...you can just say my name! My name is Brandy and I am afraid of descending. I'm part of the white knuckle club "

My husband just came in the room to ask what on earth I was laughing at! That is SO funny!!!! Brandy, by then, you will be much more comfortable AND, you can always walk down the hills as well. I'm part of the white knuckle club too but mine aren't quite as white as Brandy's! As long as there's nothing like Potero, I'll be fine... slow, but fine

Pam, I would love it if you and Brandy and I could ride together but if so, I'd want to start the second they let us! Did you talk Wayne into coming too??? For some reason I find his presence comforting!

This will be a great ride, Pam, I am really glad you broke down and decided to do this ride!

brought this over from the other thread!

for starting.... there is no mass start... you register and can go as soon as you are ready! they give you your jersey at registration... so you'll need to go back to your car to put it away! they had a gizzilion porta porties by the parking lot (with hand washing stations!)

the meal at the end was good too! catered!

[caligurl]

Originally Posted by bcipam
Cali:

I agree not really any scary hills at least for me. But some of the TE gals are new riders and there are hills (like through Summerland) which are steep and winding and of course, there is the descent off the back side of the Century. A hell of a fun ride down but can be intimidating for a newbie. For me the only reason to climb is to take the downhills!!!

Cali - how long will it take you to do the double metric? Last time I did the Century it took me (including stops and lunch) 8 hours. I'm fast on the flats but very slow on all those hills.



http://www.smileycons.com/img/emotions/147.gif ok.... naughty me..... i forgot... i thought you were referring to tracy... and potrero being a scary descent! (and i'm the one over at bikejournal "yelling" at the guys not to scare of the newbie that's asking questions! and here i'm doing at the forum i'm telling her to come to! BAD, cali!!!!!!!!!!)

ok... don't laugh at me... i've NEVER claimed i have SPEED! and always admit that i'm a slow rider!!!!!!!!!!!!! it took me 9:23 ride time! (i post ride time in my bikejournal... so don't know stop time.. i do try to keep stops brief though! cuz i know i'm slow on the road!)

128 miles.... 4863 calories and 7230 feet of elevation gain according to my polar! oh... foggy and misty in the morning... cool... then sunny and nice... with a ride average of 73 degrees... low 57.... high 88.... average speed was 13.7.... i WISH i had hit a lap on that hill so i had known how steep it was! the closest hills i've done since that one (in steepness) was at the redlands savage hill climb.... not sure which ones were worse... cuz the cool breeze one was at 100ish mile mark.. and the redlands ones had 7 steep climbs encompassed in a metric (or just shy of a metric) (and AGAIN... anyone not doing the metric will NOT have to climb that hill... ALL other rides go a different route! so don't be scared off!)

now that i think back.... i do remember one section they had marked with temporary signs about SLOW... cuz it was steep! but not sure which routes would have that descent! (it was after the steep climb for me... but may have met back up with the century route by then!)

[tprevost]

nope, not me... I'll be riding right along with you Pam! Brandy will be up at the top pickin' her nose, waiting for us! Then, you'll be down at the bottom waiting! :p I'll hold the spot in the middle... I've definately got some hill work to do, that is for SURE!

Although, I do like that the hills are in the middle of the ride, late enough to get warmed and get into a rhythm up but early enough not to be exhausted. Now I just need to be able to do 100 miles :rolleyes: ...ahem!

Trac'

[caligurl]

you'll do fine, tracy! and so will brandy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! everyone will do GREAT! why? cuz i said so! lol!

[tprevost]

does anyone happen to have a route slip from Cool Breeze? Maybe it would be wise to preview some of these hills!

Trac'

[tprevost]

Thanks Cali! I'll take all the encouragement I can get!

:D

T~

[caligurl]

does anyone happen to have a route slip from Cool Breeze? Maybe it would be wise to preview some of these hills!

Trac'

well.... i always INTEND to keep my route slips.... always INTENDED to make a file for them..... but alas.. the only ones i know where i could my hands on right now are BA and heartbreak (only cuz the heartbreak one is in the garage and i see it every time i get ready for a ride! and the BA one is in a pile of bills i have to file! :rolleyes: )

[Brandy]

So Pam, when are you going to start our hill training? I get back from camping on the 18th, if I recall correctly. After that...I'm yours! I drove Newport Coast Drive today and I want to try it as soon as I get back. Was Ridge Park the other hill that you were talking about?

[tprevost]

I just e-mailed the powers that be at Cool Breeze to get info in specific roads; I'm thinking I may try to drive 101 one direction and preview the hills so I know exactly what the deal is!

T~

[caligurl]

HEY! make sure you all add cool breeze to your rides list at bikejournal!!!!!!!!!

OH! just looked! and i see that brandy and tracy already have! YAY!

[Ninabike]

Hey girls, I'd sure like to do the Cool Breeze too, but I would probably be limited to the metric. What's that route like for hills (I thought I saw a post on that but I can't find it now).

Nina

[bcipam]

does anyone happen to have a route slip from Cool Breeze? Maybe it would be wise to preview some of these hills!

Trac'

It has long been my belief "ignorance is bliss..." Just better to hit the hills head on and not know about them. Just trust me - do hills during your training.

Last year they changed the route alot due to construction so who knows what the route will be like this year. Just plan on riding, enjoying the scenary, sag stops, lunch and dinner and oh yeah, our company.

I figure a first time Century for you guys - will take 8 maybe 9 hours. So if we leave by 7:30 - 8 and we don't dalley at the sag stops (my philsophy - "get in get out") you should be done in time for dinner by 4:30 - 5. If worse comes to worse and Wayne is with us, we can send him ahead to get the truck and come pick us up. I don't call him "Lassie" for nothing!

PS:

Tracey and Nina: The hills are all mostly inland off of 101. We start climbing inland from Bates Road and go through alot of orchards and stuff before coming into Santa Barbara. Once in SB we go inland again and start climbing, alot. You climb into the hills just before Goleta. It's beautiful up there!!! Yu basically go through a forest area. Then there is a long downhill into Santa Barbara where you have to ride along the beach area (yes, Caligurl, I hated this part the most) and then you go back inland (and yes climb again) for awhile before coming back out to the Beach and flats again.

Just train for hills and distance and the rest will come easy. Try and find a nice long hill in your area and do some repeats (ie climb it a few times). You need to practice the downs as much as the ups. You should be comfortable doing 65 - 70 miles before you are ready for the Century.

I have a nice hilly route out here that I train on. You are welcome to come out and ride it with me.

[bcipam]

So Pam, when are you going to start our hill training? I get back from camping on the 18th, if I recall correctly. After that...I'm yours! I drove Newport Coast Drive today and I want to try it as soon as I get back. Was Ridge Park the other hill that you were talking about?

Newport Coast is one hill worth trying. The other is Ridgeline in Turtle Rock. My hill route involves Lemon Heights, Skyline Drive, Cannon, Santiago Canyon, Amapola, Jamboree or Skyline to Newport Beach to Santiago to Jamboree. Not long rides (about 30 miles) just hilly. Just let me know when you have some time. But you have to promise to wait for me. I am way slower on the hills!!!!!

[bcipam]

well.... i always INTEND to keep my route slips.... always INTENDED to make a file for them..... but alas.. the only ones i know where i could my hands on right now are BA and heartbreak (only cuz the heartbreak one is in the garage and i see it every time i get ready for a ride! and the BA one is in a pile of bills i have to file! :rolleyes: )

Last post for me...

OK I never keep route slips either - and personally I seldom if ever follow a route slip. Most of the event rides, this one included, are very well marked so I just follow the street markings. The route slip is kept, usually in my back pocket, just in case I get lost.

[Brandy]

Newport Coast is one hill worth trying. The other is Ridgeline in Turtle Rock. My hill route involves Lemon Heights, Skyline Drive, Cannon, Santiago Canyon, Amapola, Jamboree or Skyline to Newport Beach to Santiago to Jamboree. Not long rides (about 30 miles) just hilly. Just let me know when you have some time. But you have to promise to wait for me. I am way slower on the hills!!!!!

Would you mind posting one of your hilly route slips? I'd like to have it in case I can sneak a ride before/after we get together.

[caligurl]

i have to agree with pam as far as "ignorance is bliss".... i remember when i was a newbie rider (not that long ago.... almost two year then end of this month i got my dolce!) anyways.... if you are familiar with/or have heard of oak glen.... hubby wanted to take me to climb that.... i had just been riding for 5 weeks.... we got there and i had told him to drive me up the hill first... so i could preview it.... well... when we got there.. he said he didn't think that was such a good idea... cuz he didn't think i'd want to climb it after seeing it in the car (and hills DO look different in the car than they do on a bike!) after doing the ride... i told him he was right... i would have gotten it into my head that i couldn't do it..... had i previewed it!!

[caligurl]

cool breeze is a VERY popular FIRST CENTURY ride! they ring a cowbell and last year you even got a separate "my first century was a breeze" patch! so i don't think ANY of you have to worry about it!

take your time... PACE yourself! don't try to keep up with faster riders... ride YOUR ride!

ride (or train... i don't train... i ride! lol! hubby "yells" at me all the time cuz i "ride" i don't "train"!) ride up hills! ride for longer distances if you can... but MOST importantly.. RIDE! then come august... you'll ALL do just FINE on this ride!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

oh... as for route slips... i do follow them... even if the road is marked! (and yes... cool breeze is one that is! however NONE of the KOM ones were! they feel more people get lost trying to follow arrows than following a route slip! i keep mine clipped on my little cue clip on my stem... plus... my interim goals are the rest stops! i try not to think of the 100... or 128 miles... i think XX miles til the next rest stop! but i know everyone is different.. .and everyone has different motivators! i like to know when my next JUNK FOOD stop is!

tracy... don't be surprised if they won't send you a route slip ahead of time... MOST rides won't unless they are already published (i.e. alpine)!
yes... there were changes last year... one point near the end... ended up being marked differently than the route slip even because of construction (the route into the popsicle stop!!)

anyways... all that is to tell you all.. DO NOT BE NERVOUS OF THE CLIMBS! (there was even a one legged rider doing cool breeze last year! YES... ONE LEG!) and lots of the team in training or whateve they are called!

again... a POPULAR first century ride!

ok... i'm done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(does everyone feel better now?)

[bcipam]

CAli...Well I wish I did (feel better).... can I hitch a tow line to your bike?????

Honestly kindof wondered what I am doing. I have all year just rode arond casually and now darn it I actually have to get serious and do some real riding. Next week is messed up as I am travelling for business but after that, no excuse, ride on the weekend and hopefully several nights during the week. Guess I'll have to stop doing some of the longer club rides.

Tracy - I'll and pick up a route slip for you for my hilly ride but basically I just go out and do it. If you go to the BCI website (bikeirvine.org)- check Sunday rides - you will no doubt find lots of hilly rides - BCI likes hilly!

For instance check out June 11 Long or Long Plus. Or July 30. In fact, Santiago Canyon (i.e. The Loop) is a good hill training ride. I suggest you start from the shopping center at Jamboree and Chapman, take the Canyon out (east) and then just turn around once you reach Cook's Corner and come right back to the shopping Center. The actual Loop takes you down to El Toro to Glenn Ranch to Bake to Irvine Blvd, West to Jamboree but Irvine is under heavy construction right now. The ultimate icky hilly ride is on Aug. 20. Live Oak is a ***** to climb (but the downhill to O'Neill Park is an "e" ticket!)

[caligurl]

pam..... i'm NOT fast! i keep saying that! i've NEVER said i'm fast! as a matter of fact... i'll go one further! where you say you are slower on hills but faster on flats.. well.. i'm slower on BOTH! (hell... i'm even slow on descents... and not that much from being afraid of them... just cuz i can't get going! i pedal and pedal and i still get passed! ugh!) the majority of people PASS me on rides!! there are a few... VERY few that i pass.... (usually they are older.. but not always... there are oldsters out there that can fly past me!) all you have to do is look at the KOM stats... i'm THREE from the bottom of women! yes... i was third slowest of the women! but i finished! THAT is what was important to me! heck.. i cried when i checked in i was so proud i had finished all three rides! i didn't care what my overall time was! my forte is endurance..... (and stubborness!)

hubby "yells" at me constantly cuz he says if i would "train" i would probably be faster.. but dagnabit...i want to have FUn when i ride! sure.. it would be fun to be faster.. finish faster... but that would mean hurting during all my other rides! *gasp* i do think that those of you that belong to a club may have an advantage too, though... i ride by myself 95% of the time! even on organized rides... i pretty much ride by myself unless i can convince hubby to ride slowly with me! with club members to ride with.. you have the motivation... and friendly competition to keep up.... but i'm getting sidetracked!

now you want a completely opposite take on this ride!? nesdog over at bikeforums called it relatively flat! now THAT i would say is a wrong assessment! i don't consider it a flat century! lol!

i just don't want to scare off anyone.... cuz i truly think it's a doable ride! (and i'll bet some of these other new would probably even beat my time if i were doing the century! but alas.. i'm a glutton for punishment!)

again.. i'm NOT trying to come off as an elitest... but i'm NOT! i ride for fun.... i ride to see what i can do.... but i'm NOT fast about it!

so are we friends again?????? :confused:

[Brandy]

The ultimate icky hilly ride is on Aug. 20. Live Oak is a ***** to climb (but the downhill to O'Neill Park is an "e" ticket!)
I've driven that many times. James used to work for the Orange County Probation Department at one of the juvenile detention camps in Trabuco Canyon. I hate that road in a car...I'd be very nervous to try to go down it!

[Brandy]

now you want a completely opposite take on this ride!? nesdog over at bikeforums called it relatively flat! now THAT i would say is a wrong assessment! i don't consider it a flat century! lol!




I saw that! :confused:

[tprevost]

Well, I've decided that I'm just going to go for it and not worry! I can't get over to Irvine that often but there are hills everywhere where I am; heck, you can't even get around our lake without going up several pretty good hills! So I'l probably stick around here to train unless I'm riding with someone!

They do post the route on the Cool Breeze website, however, its just not zoomed in enough to be able to see the actual road names so I think they will probably give me the name of the larger hills; it doesn't appear they are one of those rides that don't give the route until that day.

My hilly route over here consists of a 40 mile up and back with a couple 2-3 mile grades of 6% and another couple of 4+ mile grades at probably 3-4%. Its a pretty tough ride for me but is excellent hill/decent training with little traffic and a wide shoulder.... plus it has an am/pm at mile 10/30 and a park at the turnaround for water/bathroom etc. I'm traveling quite a bit over the next two weeks but the minute I get back, I'm going to schedule that ride; maybe the 19th. In the interim, I am scheduling rides as often as possible to get my base mileage up. Right now I can consistantly ride 40-50 comfortably but beyond that is a push... although I wasn't sore or hurting after the 68 miler 5/13.

So, I think the motto will be to prepare as well as we can, be encouraging and just do the best we all can!

So Pam, when I see you on the 10th, can we check calendars to see when I can ride that hilly loop w/you??? Brandy, you in???

Trac'

[Brandy]

So Pam, when I see you on the 10th, can we check calendars to see when I can ride that hilly loop w/you??? Brandy, you in???

Trac'

What's the plan for July 1st? Could we do it then?

[tprevost]

that'd be fine w/me but we may lose others who are not into hills!

T~

[Brandy]

that'd be fine w/me but we may lose others who are not into hills!

T~


Good point.

[Brandy]

Looks like the earliest that we can roll that day is 6:30 a.m. :cool:

[bcipam]

Uh 6:30???? Well I may not be able to start with you guys but hopefully I'll catch you on the flats. Probably the earliest I can start is 7:30, 7 if I really try hard to get out of bed and there is no traffic up to Ventura. But as time draws near we can talk about it.

I realize I may be scaring everyone off with all the hill talk. Brandy I would bet you won't notice the hills so don't fret or worry. If I can recall there are only two fairly significant hills and again for Brandy she will fly right up and hardly notice then (Brandy your issue is going to be downhills so practice those). With my size (yes I admit I'm too "fluffy" and need to lose alot of weight) hills are a struggle although I don't hate them, physics just says I will be slow going up and fast going down.

I do want to keep things in perspective however. As a veteran I consider this ride to have some hills. But the ride also has alot of flats. It's pretty 50/50 hills vs. flats which for most centuries is pretty good. For a newbie, and I think I did way back when, this ride may be hilly and tough in spots. There are 3 maybe 4 long hills (the one into Summerland I recall seems to be the worse) but they are all doable. Just get out there and ride (and I need to take this advice as well) and you'll be fine. All you guys are in great shape. I'm the one that needs to worry!:(

[tprevost]

Pam,

What are you talking about???? Worry Schmurry, you are in great shape! You didn't even blink at the 42 miler last week and there's 11 weeks between now and then..... just do what you're doing and add a few hills and you'll be just fine.... (see, now the tables are turned!)

Plus there is something to be said for all that experience ya know.... since it's all mental!!! (ducking) ;)

Tracy

ps. It sounds like you need us to give you a wake up call huh? Or, maybe we need to give you a reminder call the night before to go to sleep!!! :D

[bcipam]

OK so let me tell you about today and you'll see why I am already whinny...

I rode over to the BCI Club ride start. I had planned on helping out with the Newbie ride. Well not really that many newbies and lots of other helpers so I got talked into doing the "blue" - long ride. It was 43 miles and flat. No problem like you said, I did 43 last week without a problem and felt good after.

Well here's the problem - a Club Ride is another animal. Since the ride was flat, it started out fast. The slow folks were averaging 18 - 20 mpg. I burnt out in less than 10 miles and had another 33 to go! I finally fell back into a slower group and another woman and I pretty much did the ride together. She was much slower than I but probably a good thing, it kept me from burning out even farther.

We made it to the coffee stop OK but I had a bad "stand in line" experience (remind me to tell you someday about the guy in line with the cell phone.... grrrr I wanted to kill him!). Most everyone left by the time I got and gulped my ice tea. So back to riding with the slow lady. Since we were on our own we modified the route a bit. Parts of this ride was gorgeous (alot of running along the cliffs above Newport Beach) other parts just miserable. We joked about the fact this was the "anti-newbie" ride. Lots of heavy, scary traffic. We finally made it into Back Bay and stayed on the San Diego Creek trail but the woman wanted to show me another trail and I took it but realize, oh wait... I'm riding away from the staging area not towards. "Oh" she said, "Yeah I rode from home and this path takes me close to my house..." Getting hungry, bonking and cranky, I took my leave of her nice little trail and started back in the direction I needed to go. Around 12:45 I finished my ride (but still had another 6 miles home) . Ended up doing just under 62. I finished absolutely wiped out and done. I'm thinking it was the heat more than anything. I just don't like hot weather. I rather have it in the 40's than the 80's.

Anyway- have a way too go to be ready for Cool Breeze but I have time. I just need to get out and ride. And thankfully Cool Breeze is always, well, cool. Temperates usually no higher than 70.

Right now I'm trying to get all my housework done cause once I sit down... I ain't getting up!!!! Wayne is suppose to call me about doing a MTB ride rtonight and as much as I enjoy his company and like to ride with him, I will have to beg off. My legs are finite for the night!

BTW tomorrow I'm kayaking int he morning and then leading a cub scout troup on a hike int he afternoon. Doesn't that sound like fun????

[bikerchick68]

bcipam... weird how going out hard has such an impact huh? And NOTHING worse than bonking... or even getting near it. :(

OK... as to Cool Breeze... here's my take on it. This was my 4th century ever last year. Yes, there is climbing. BUT, the climbing is do-able. The key is to pace yourself, NOT going out hard with the pack or trying to keep up with someone stronger (which as mentioned CAN burn you out... you definitely should ride with stronger people to get stronger but NOT on your first century ride!). Some of the climbs are steep. From what I recall the climb up San Marcos Pass I think it was called was the toughest section. That being said, I rode it with a double. If you have a triple and just spin your way up it slowly you'll be fine. I DO recall last year a whole group of women who were walking their bikes. They were complaining that they were told this was a relatively flat ride. Remember that climbing is all about what you're used to. If you climb regularly this is gonna be a breeze (yeah, pun intended) if you ride ONLY pancake flat stuff, it'll be a challenge. So yes, you should be doing some climbing. Hill repeats are great for building strength... But, if you climb and are able to ride at least 50-60 miles, I would say this is completely do-able. It IS mental. If you believe you can do it you will. Will you be tired when it's over? Yep. Will you be equally elated? Yep. Will you celebrate with a glass of wine, beer or mixed beverage of your choice? If not, pass me yours!:D

[tprevost]

Okay, here's my training ride for Cool Breeze....

This is the main hill... note that it keeps going up past the bridge at the very tip top...
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i104/tprevost/3f878020.jpg

here's another shot from the bottom - the road I ride on is the one that follows the freeway on the right side
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i104/tprevost/e12846bf.jpg

and here's the back side coming home... the overpass you see is near the top of the 'return hill'
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i104/tprevost/June3rd004.jpg

There are 40 miles of this stuff but this is the most difficult hill... anyone want to join me, I'm going to ride it on the 19th unless its still very very hot out!

Tracy

[Ninabike]

Hi Tracy, That's a pretty neat hill. Maybe even I could do it!!

Pam, at least you went riding today! I didn't even ride. I spent my day getting my computer up and running at home - had to go out to Staples to get "stuff", etc. That's the reason I can access the TE site today. Normally, I have problems getting on line on the weekends.

Pam, any ride, compared to last Monday, just doesn't "stack up". We had a great ride, great company, AND a great leader!! The heat is the great equilizer too. I am going to try and get some hill training in because I would really like to do the Cool Breeze. I do feel guilty that I didn't ride today though.

Have a good weekend,
Nina

[tprevost]

Nina,

Of COURSE you could do that hill! Its a long slow one 2-3 miles at about 6% but it has a great shoulder and plenty of places to stop.

Pam, on my ride today I went a little bit faster than my normal pace (and I was still slowing bc68 etal down!) and I could tell that I wouldn't have been able to keep it up for 40 miles even though I can normally comfortably do 40+... so we ended up doing 26 and it was a great ride! I wanted to push a little so I could improve; I probably should've pushed more but it was starting to get pretty warm so I figured I'd err on the side of caution! So, if I were you on your ride today, I'd be whining too! Just think how comfortably you could've done that 60+ ride at your own pace! You're selling yourself short woman! ;)

Hills are my friends, hills are my friends, hills are my friends.... my new mantra :rolleyes:

Have a great evening everyone!

Tracy

[caligurl]

Well here's the problem - a Club Ride is another animal. Since the ride was flat, it started out fast. The slow folks were averaging 18 - 20 mpg. I burnt out in less than 10 miles and had another 33 to go!

*GASP* the SLOW people were doing 18-20???? *GASP*

then what does that make me????? lol i can't do 18-20 on flats! downhill... but not flats!

i don't get the whole "go as fast as you can" right at the beginning of the ride! what about warming up? (not that i could do 18-20 even warmed up!) but why do they want to risk burning out like that? but then... i have a negative connotation of club rides... egos clashing... etc! so i guess i see how that happens!

i think everyone is going to do fine at whichever length ride they choose to ride for cool breeze! some will be faster... some slower.... but everyone should ride a ride that makes them happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(so BC.... you and bigK doing cool breeze this year?)

[bikerchick68]

I'm not... not sure about BigK tho... but that is my 20 year high school reunion... :eek: :D

[Brandy]

Pam...that club ride sounds nuts. In fact, the more that I hear about club rides in general, the more leery I am about trying one! :eek: You have over two months, plenty of time to train and you know that you don't need to try to ride at a pace like that at Cool Breeze. We're all going to do great!


Tracy...your pictures freaked me out until I saw the line that said the road runs next to the freeway...WHEW...you skeered me, I thought you were riding on the freeway! :p

[redhot3368]

HI!! I also signed up for the Cool Breeze. I will be doing the metric.
I just finished my first metric at Ojai this past weekend, so I want to do a few more metrics before doing a century.
From what I can tell, most of you are doing the century..
anyone doing the metric??
Thanks!
karen

personal e-mail is redhot3368@yahoo.com

[Brandy]

Karen...you should shoot for the century! If you've already done a metric with the same amount of climbing as the Cool Breeze Century, then you'll do fine...especially since it's two months away! Plan to ride with us :D

[Brandy]

I just e-mailed the powers that be at Cool Breeze to get info in specific roads; I'm thinking I may try to drive 101 one direction and preview the hills so I know exactly what the deal is!

T~

Did CB ever email you? I'm headed up to Goleta tomorrow and I could take a detour off of the 101 and preview the hills. :D

[bcipam]

Brandy: Really I'm telling you this - don't preview the hills. It's just better you don't. Let the ride be a surprise and take everything as it comes in stride. You are such a strong hill climber you probably won't think there's an issue anyway. Just worry about the distance. Try doing some longer rides and don't worry - we will all be in this together.

[caligurl]

Brandy: Really I'm telling you this - don't preview the hills. It's just better you don't. Let the ride be a surprise and take everything as it comes in stride. You are such a strong hill climber you probably won't think there's an issue anyway. Just worry about the distance. Try doing some longer rides and don't worry - we will all be in this together.

i second what pam said... DO NOT preview them! you CAN do this ride... no need at all to preview it in a car! (and isn't half the fun of a new ride... being new to the course!!!!)

seriously... you are all stressing way too much! http://www.smileycons.com/img/emotions/141.gif the ride is do-able... we wouldn't lie to you! it's also VERY do-able as a first century.... so that, in itself, should say something about the course!

in the mean time... go out and ride... ride longer distance.... do some climbing (and then some more if you want!) and come august... you will see that you've all been worrying for naught!!!!!!!

[Brandy]

Okay, okay. Really, it's not the climbing...it's the damn descending that I'm skeered of! :eek:

[caligurl]

Okay, okay. Really, it's not the climbing...it's the damn descending that I'm skeered of! :eek:

i only remember 1 section that may bother you..... AND i'm not even sure it's on the century route! it was after that horrific climb i told you about that the double metric does.... and the roads (and route slips) were clearly marked to GO SLOW! other than that.... i think the descents were all pretty average.... (i don't like steep descents so i'm sure i woulda remembered any others... an no others stand out... PLUS..... i think i've done worse decents since then.... at redlands and at mulholland! but again... you may not even be doing that section... remember... my route took me on some different sections than you will go on!)

[tprevost]

Okay you characters!

Brandy, I know you are camping but I'll be gone when you return so, no, they didn't get back to me... weinies!

AND, I am not wanting to preview so I can see if I can do the hills, I will be doing them... I just like to get an idea of when to push, when to save energy, etc. etc.

In any case, I will definately be doing the 100 miler so getting up/down the hills is not an optional thing ;) and I'm really not stressing at all, I'm just obsessed w/riding my bike and I have "bike on the brain"!

It'll be a fun ride!

Tracy

ps. Now we just have to work on Wayne to get him to sign up!!!

[bcipam]

OK you guys... I trying to work on Wayne. It's just too far in the future for him. He's a "last minute if nothing else is going on" type of guy. It would be fun to have him ride with us. I'll have to tease him about riding with a female posse. That'll get his interest !

[caligurl]

OK you guys... I trying to work on Wayne. It's just too far in the future for him. He's a "last minute if nothing else is going on" type of guy. It would be fun to have him ride with us. I'll have to tease him about riding with a female posse. That'll get his interest !

don't let him wait too long... the ride is 1/2 sold out! keep watch on the site and badger him MORE as sell out gets closer!

[tprevost]

Pam,

What is Wayne's e-mail???? We'll have to start bombarding him with 'love notes' and guilt him into registering!!! :D

Trac'

[bcipam]

I pm'd it...

[KnottedYet]

You're so lucky to be married to a guy who can handle "love notes" from biker chicks!!

[tprevost]

Pam, I e-mailed wayne today... I'll keep my fingers crossed!

T~

[bcipam]

You're so lucky to be married to a guy who can handle "love notes" from biker chicks!!


Aaahhh that's cause I am not. The Waynster is a good friend - one of my cycling buddies. But he would get a kick out of knowing someone thought us married. People always assume it for some reason...:rolleyes:

[Trek420]

I don't think that's what she meant, might have been a bit too subtle. Never mind...let's move on :cool:

[tprevost]

Just an FYI - Wayne sent me an e-mail saying he's gonna sign up!

YIPPEE!!!!! Our "Sweeper" is in!!!! :D

Trac'

[caligurl]

only 500 spots left! it's closing fast!!!!!

[Brandy]

A little birdie told me that another TE member just signed up!

[caligurl]

so do we have a list?

me (and hubby) errrrrr.... caligurl!
tprevost
brandy
bcipam
honorary TE member: wayne!
nina r messina
redhot3368
tiffanie
green machine

who else?

[Trekhawk]

Sounds like you girls will have a great ride and day. Dont forget to post reports and lots of pictures after the ride. I look forward to hearing all about it.:)

[Tiffanie]

A little birdie told me that another TE member just signed up!

That would be me. I'm so nervous!!! http://www.tinklebelle.com/Smilies/images/nerves.gif

[bcipam]

Tiffanie - don't be nervous. First of all the ride is just so gorgeous and usually the weather so nice, you'll want to ride and ride. There are lots of bail out spots so if you do tire no worries. The Club provides lots of sag support. Wayne's coming to support all us gals so that's a good thing. Just get out and ride. You have plenty of time.

Of course I also need to take my own advice!!! I really need to start riding the road bike again. Since each of my MTBikes now have a problem and needS to be repaired so I guess I have no excuses!

[redhot3368]

I can't WAIT for Cool Breeze!!!!
I am loving these supported rides. The Cambria ride was so, so, so, so
BEAUTIFUL this weekend. I only did 50 miles, but increased my average speed to 14.9 mph...still slow...but getting better :)
Next one is Three harbors metric..yeah!!

Karen :)

[greenmachine]

Me too! Me too! I'm signed up for the Cool Breeze Century!

I have a few friends that I ride with regularly that are also signed up, so we are all doing our hill training rides.

I'm looking forward to it!!

Judy

[Brandy]

Wow...it's going to be a TE-fest! :D

[tprevost]

This is SO cool :cool: ! I didn't realize there were going to be so many of us riding! :D Who will be there the night before???? Does anyone want to do a dinner or something????

I plan on starting at 6:30; that way I will get a head start and at least be a little way into it before everyone starts zippin' past me! I've gotta keep the Waynster behind me in case I get into trouble ;) I did a hill ride today and I am SO slow... got lots of work to do!

Trac' :p

[tprevost]

tiffanie,

i just had to laugh at your post with the little nervous guy!

T~

[Tiffanie]

Tiffanie - don't be nervous. First of all the ride is just so gorgeous and usually the weather so nice, you'll want to ride and ride. There are lots of bail out spots so if you do tire no worries. The Club provides lots of sag support. Wayne's coming to support all us gals so that's a good thing. Just get out and ride. You have plenty of time.

Of course I also need to take my own advice!!! I really need to start riding the road bike again. Since each of my MTBikes now have a problem and needS to be repaired so I guess I have no excuses!

Thanks for the encouragement Pam. I think my nervousness is centered on the descents I'll have to make. I'm terrified of downhill!

You may be seeing me walk a lot. lol

[Tiffanie]

tiffanie,

i just had to laugh at your post with the little nervous guy!

T~

:p Definitely what I'll be looking like on the downhill :o

[Tiffanie]

This is SO cool :cool: ! I didn't realize there were going to be so many of us riding! :D Who will be there the night before???? Does anyone want to do a dinner or something????

I plan on starting at 6:30; that way I will get a head start and at least be a little way into it before everyone starts zippin' past me! I've gotta keep the Waynster behind me in case I get into trouble ;) I did a hill ride today and I am SO slow... got lots of work to do!

Trac' :p

So, what's considered slow? I haven't done any hills yet (outside of my Spinning classes - does that count?).

[tprevost]

Tiffanie,

Don't worry, if you've been doing the same spin classes as Brandy, you'll be just fine! ;) BTW, Redhot's average is NOT slow so don't listen to her! :p

Lets see... I can go as slow as 3.8mph up a hill and I think BCIPam can do it even slower (she's got better granny gears!); I don't have any flat areas here so my averages for rides near my house almost always include some grades and hills - I'm guessing my average will be in the 13-14mph range for the ride if its a good day and the hills aren't too tough. I'll be doing my hill training ride at least every other week between now and then!

Seriously Tiff, work on your base mileage and include some hills. The rule of thumb is that you can go 3x your average ride... so do a lot of rides 35-40 miles w/a couple of longer ones tossed in. It would be really great if you could do an organized event of a shorter distance before then so you could get a 'feel' for what to expect.

If you have to walk down some hills, do it. Ever since I got my cast off I have been a downhill chicken so I totally understand; although it really helped me to get some coaching from Bikerchick68 (awesome - she should be a riding coach!) on the descents!

You'll be just fine! Now, go ride your bike!!! :p

Trac'

[redhot3368]

you girls are so funny!!!
I am right there with you on the downhills...scary!!! :)
I think I was lucky with my average on the Cambria ride.
I think I am right around 13 mph?, but its all good.
I just remind myself it is not a race, and lets just have FUN!! Right??
the Supported rides are a great way to train, you get used to the rest stops, and all that. I am addicted now!!

This forum is great!!!
Karen :)

[caligurl]

i LOVE organized rides! i swear i'm the queen of them! lol! we spend so much money, not only on the rides themselves (and we have to pay double.... 2 riders! *gasp*)... but gas to get there! we've done 12 organized rides so far this year... and have at least 6 more on the calendar for the rest of the year! http://www.smileycons.com/img/emotions/227.gif

heck.... we bought our MDX so that our bikes were secure IN a vehicle for post-organized ride shopping! lol!

i like them cuz you get the SAG stops.. and i have an excuse to eat stuff that i won't buy for myself! (i.e. rice krispie treats... muffins.... cheeze its... etc etc etc!) it also gives me a goal (if i just set out to ride 60 or 100 miles around here... it's too easy to quit and go home when you run out of water or something... even when the plan is to go home to REFILL and GO BACK OUT!) on oranized rides... i'm out and HAVE to finish riding in order to get back to the start/finish!

i get to ride in areas i wouldn't otherwise ride in... cuz i don't know the area! they give me a map.. and sometimes even mark the road (although not always!!) i'd have NEVER driven to malibu just to ride my bike... but now it's one of my favorite areas to do organized rides!! i'm even becoming familiar with several of the roads!

OH... and after the majority of them..... we get to stop at either tommy's.... in-n-out..... or BJ's on the way home! YUM!

[bcipam]

OK guys here's the deal - I'm slow up hills - my slowest ever was 2.3 miles per hour. Can you imagine? And yes I stayed upright - as long as the pedal moves forward you stay upright. I struggle up hills all the time - WHY? All for the love of a good downhill and that's how I make up speed. Fastest downhill - 55 mph, during the Mammoth Century. Slowed way down when I realized my contacts would most likely flip out of my eyes due to the wind. PS: I would like to see an average speed for everyone of at least 15 mph. This tends to be a fast century, especially in the beginning. Usually out to Bates road, I paceline at about 20 - 22 mph for the first 20 miles. Not saying I would do that this time, just saying its not hard. It's flat and there's a tail wind.

Anyway what I'm trying to say is there are ways to make up speed and downhill is one. Someone like Brandy can make time up hills, well I'll catch her going down. Just the way it works. If the downhills freak you out well walking is allowed but plan on making up time traveling uphill. It all works out in the wash.

What I would like to see is us all starting around 7 which is early enough. 6:30 is really too early and you won't have alot of other riders out there for support. I started my first CB century at 8:30 and still got in in decent time. This century won't take all that long - just trust me. Most Century riders leave around 7 - 7:30, alot even at 8. I have some fast friends who most likely won't leave until 10 (and they will still get in before me - just wrong!).

Get a good night's sleep, take your time in the morning and let's all meet up and ride together.

[caligurl]

PS: I would like to see an average speed for everyone of at least 15 mph.

BWAH HA HA HA HA! uhm.... ok... YOU all go ahead and get 15 mph..... last year i did the double metric at 13.7.... and i haven't increased in ANY of my other rides so far this year... as a matter of fact... i've dropped a . or 2!

i'll be leaving at 6:30 or as soon as i get registered... pam is right... there aren't a lot of other riders out there that early... or at least not on the double part! (and there were some icky scary looking parts on the bike path.. but the century doesn't go in that direction!) hubby stayed with me last year til the 1st rest stop.. when there were more people catching me... thus more peeps on the course!

15 mph! i'm still laughing! but then.... i think there's more climbing on the double part! (my polar last year recorded 7,230 for the 128 miles! 9 hours 23 minutes ride time!) hopefully i'll see some of you at some point when the routes come together! (i saw BC68 last year!)

all this worry about a ride that is still 2 months away! i'm gonna worry about this weekend first! maybe i won't want to do another double metric after this weekend! that's a LOT of hours on the bike!

(and pam.... 55 mph downhill!!!! *GASP* my comfort limit is 40!!!!!)

[bcipam]

Actually my downhill comfort limit is also 40 mph. Have you ever done th Sierra Century in September out of Mammoth? Seems like your type of ride. After struggling for miles and miles and miles up steep, forever long hills there is the descent towards Crowley Lake. I was just so relieved no more big hills when I started down I just enjoyed the breeze until I noticed my contact blurring. I checked my speedometer and realized I had hit 55 mph! YIKES! All sorts of things popped into my head and fear prevailed I slowed waaaaaaaayyy down (probably to 40mph)! Beautiful ride. Would love someday to do it again.

Cali - you and your double centuries are a whole other thing but I think it fairly easy for the gals to maintain 15mph on the century. There is enough flat and downhill to make up the time and distance even with sags and pacing. And if riding with groups of people (another reason to leave after 7) and the adrenaline of a first century... I bet I'm the one trying to catch up.

I am also of the belief that a century is not a "cruise" ride. You gotta be serious about your performance. I don't expect anyone to act like a racer but it's not like you can expect to ride slow and be chatty for 100 miles and still finish while dinner is waiting. Sag stops - good for chatting - riding - need to be serious. Although my thing with sags - get in get out - no hanging around. Think about pedal stroke, cadance, breathing, nutrition etc. Not trying to scare off anyone but a century is a serious distance. Need to think about time and finishing well. If everyone gets in some training should be no problem.

[caligurl]

oh pam... double METRICS! i don't do double centuries! nope! not me! too long in the saddle!

i'm with you on the SAG stops... i do NOT like to stop for long periods of time! heck... i even get irritated when i have to wait too long for a porta potty! i eat some at the stops (i.e. orange slices)... but usually.. if they have portable food (rice krispie treats.. muffins... crackers.. cookies... etc) ... i'll take it with me and eat while riding! i've never understood the people that literally lay around at rest stops! :eek: not me! i get too stiff and don't want to get back on the bike!

hmmmmm i have a different, maybe take on centuries.... i agree... i'm not out racing! not fast enough for that! but i, personally, think i go a tad bit slower... especially in the beginning... cuz i don't want to tire myself out too soon!! (there are some "hot shot racer types" that go balls to the wall.. and then can't even finish the whole 100! even palm springs! and i'm not talking crashing... i mean this guy didn't finish cuz it appears he burnt himself out too soon!) i've always "taken my time" to a point.... i don't ride along and chat (99% of my riding is done alone).... but i don't push my limits either!

i'll have to go back and look at some of my other century times... (i keep trying to tell you gals i'm NOT fast but no one wants to believe me!)

i'm still in awe of the 55! the fastes i ever recall going... and that wasn't 55! it was somewhere in the 40's and FREAKED me out.. was at the top of GMR... descending into the village! EGADS! ya... you get some "thoughts" eh????

hmmmmmm i now know you you remind me of!


Think about pedal stroke, cadance, breathing, nutrition etc.

my hubby! he never just lets me ride! lol! he is always "coaching" me! (not saying that's bad! cuz he's like you... trying to helpful and teach me!)

i think a century can be fun... especially a first century! in fact... i think is very important that a first century be fun so you'll want to do more! but i'm a fun rider and not a "racer" rider!

i agree that adreneline or happiness at doing a first century... or whatever.... will be high and help! i remember after doing my first... i wasn't even tired at the end!! i coulda kept riding on more cuz i was so excited at having completed a century!!

[IndyGal]

so do we have a list?

me (and hubby) errrrrr.... caligurl!
tprevost
brandy
bcipam
honorary TE member: wayne!
nina r messina
redhot3368
tiffanie
green machine

who else?

I'm pretty new around here, but I'm going to be doing the Cool Breeze. I'd love to hook up with ya'll. I'll be making the trek south from Sacramento!

[caligurl]

me (and hubby) errrrrr.... caligurl!
tprevost
brandy
bcipam
honorary TE member: wayne!
nina r messina
redhot3368
tiffanie
green machine
IndyGal

who else?

(getting to be quite the large group!)

[bcipam]

As the date grows closer we will have to come up with some plan of meeting up with everyone before and after.

For the century riders I suggest we plan on meeting around 6:45 - 7a and push off shortly thereafter. For Cali - the doublemetric superbiker and everyone doing the regular metric we need to meet up after. Probably best way is to plan on checking in with each other via cell phones around 3pm. Us century and metric rider might still be riding so if you metric folks need to go we'll catch up with you on the next ride.

[tprevost]

Okay, okay, I've gotta make a disclaimer here... there is NO way I'm committing to an average 15mph pace for 100 miles. I don't want the pressure of holding anyone up on the ride, it will completely ruin my first century. I may decide to keep w/my plan to leave as early as possible and let everyone catch up to me and perhaps then, after I'm warmed up, I'll try to keep up.

We'll see though, depending on how things go between now and then! AND, Pam, see... I knew you could go really slow with those grannies you have! ;) AND, 55mph is just plain crazy woman! I would be scared outa my mind!!! 'specially since I'm part of the white knuckle club! ;)

T~

ps. and IndyGal! Glad you're coming, looking forward to meeting you!

[caligurl]

tracy.... ride YOUR ride! that's the best advice i can give you! my first century was tour de palm springs... so relatively flat..... i rode it by myself (hubby did his own ride!)

i just peddled along... at MY pace! every once in a while i'd try to keep up with someone.... and if they dropped me... i'd just keep peddling!

i did come across a couple on a tandem after the first rest stop after lunch.... i tried my BEST to keep up with them.... i'd do pretty good... they'd drop me (not obnoxiously... just they were faster)... then they'd catch a light and i'd catch up! this helped me got faster then i would have on my own.... but i still didn't over-exert....

i had been riding 7 months at the time... so i was NOT fast....

but... in pam's defense... i did just go back and look... and i did ride that century at 15.7 mph average! i've got 3215 elevation listed..... i don't know cool breeze's elevation for the century.... but if it's around 3000-3500... 15 is doable...

BUT.... if you don't want to commit to 15 mph... then again... ride YOUR ride! your first century will always be your first... you will ALWAYS rememer it... and i want it to be FUN FUN FUN for you! so if you think you need to go at a slower pace... by all means... do so! cuz on your first.. there are NO TIME LIMITS! the IMPORTANT thing is to FINISH! if you need to rest... rest... the important thing is to FINISH!

once you do a century and realize you CAN do it... then you can put more goals... but for your first... the goal is to finish! no matter how slow and how long you rest...

(and i have NO DOUBT you WILL finish!) (and i'll bet you end up doing 15 mph after all!)

[tprevost]

Thanks Caligurl!

You are so awesome! That rides doesn't seem to have so much elevation gain but since I don't know the route, I'll want to be conservative in my pace.

I have no doubt that I'll finish; of course, it might not be pretty! ;) I just don't want to be miserable, plain and simple! Maybe I will do better than I expect as far as pace is concerned but I don't want to commit when I don't know the route.

I will be there the night before so I'll be well rested and up bright and early! Maybe I'll even get another dinner out of my old broker up there! ;) (you know Cali, the one who refuses to wear a helmet :eek: )

Again, thank you for your encouragement! You have no idea how much I appreciate it!!! :D

Trac'

[caligurl]

Thanks Caligurl!

You are so awesome! That rides doesn't seem to have so much elevation gain but since I don't know the route, I'll want to be conservative in my pace.

I have no doubt that I'll finish; of course, it might not be pretty! ;) I just don't want to be miserable, plain and simple! Maybe I will do better than I expect as far as pace is concerned but I don't want to commit when I don't know the route.

I will be there the night before so I'll be well rested and up bright and early! Maybe I'll even get another dinner out of my old broker up there! ;) (you know Cali, the one who refuses to wear a helmet :eek: )

Again, thank you for your encouragement! You have no idea how much I appreciate it!!! :D

Trac'

ahhhhhh! you have an advantage over me then! i don't think i've even done a century (or organized metric) on a really good night's sleep! lol! but that's cuz we have to get up in the middle of the night to get there! (for cool breeze i think we have to get up at 12:30! yes... that's 30 min after midnight! GASP! i hope brie appreciates that i refuse to kennel her! :cool:

[tprevost]

I'm sure she does.... as she's eating her birthday steak and cake! :D

Plus, I need all the advantages I can get!!! ;) A good nights sleep is one that is probably a little helpful, just tell DH to drive by himself and you come w/me the night before!!! I'm sure he would appreciate that!!! hee hee hee!

T~

[vicvroom]

I'm signed up for the Cool Breeze century too.

It'll be my second century - my first was Cruisin the Conejo. I was so uncertain that I was going to be able to finish that ride that I didn't really tell anyone about it. My longest ride before that one was 70 miles, so I tried to keep it at a pretty easy pace in order to get through. I ended up with a 15.1 mph average.

Sometimes I'm guilty of going out too fast, but as I am doing longer events now, I'm getting better at pacing.

[tprevost]

Hey Vicvroom!

Glad you'll be coming along too!!!! Congrats on your first Century at CTC, that was a tough one too! Great Job!!!

We'll look forward to meeting you!

Tracy

[bcipam]

Okay, okay, I've gotta make a disclaimer here... there is NO way I'm committing to an average 15mph pace for 100 miles. I don't want the pressure of holding anyone up on the ride, it will completely ruin my first century. I may decide to keep w/my plan to leave as early as possible and let everyone catch up to me and perhaps then, after I'm warmed up, I'll try to keep up.

We'll see though, depending on how things go between now and then! AND, Pam, see... I knew you could go really slow with those grannies you have! ;) AND, 55mph is just plain crazy woman! I would be scared outa my mind!!! 'specially since I'm part of the white knuckle club! ;)

T~

ps. and IndyGal! Glad you're coming, looking forward to meeting you!

Tracy:

Stop stressing. Let's just start out all together. Just trust this seasoned veteran - you will easily do about 15/mph on the ride (no one is asking for a commitment) but its not a question of anyone holding up anyone. We ride together but that doesn't mean we stay in a little group all the time. You and Brandy are going rush pass me on hills but I'll catch you going down (might even pass you!). We can regroup at the sag stops if someone gets out ahead or lags back. We can talk more about this on July 1st.

Bottom line it is so much better to do a century (especially a first time one) with a group. I did my first alone (no friends - just all the other riders I didn't know) and that sucked. Start with us (at least Wayne and I) at 7. Trust me the extra 1/2 hour is not going to make up that much difference. The encouragement we are all going to give us other is going to be worth it. Basically Wayne and I signed up for the ride to help you all through it. Plus I need some encouragement as well as this will be my first big ride after my surgery.

and to everyone - I know how scary a first time century can be - been there done that - I know. In fact I stress about most centuries. Until you start riding you have no clue what's going to happen. There is a plus on this ride. The first 20 miles all the rides go together to the Bates Rd. sag stop. If at that point you are feeling poorly, can't warm up, just chicken out, you can elect to do the metric or turn back and do 40.

Another plus with riding in a small group - along the coast you will encounter headwinds. pacelining will help conserve energy against the wind. We can talk about pacelining on the 1st as well.

[Brandy]

Okay...I'm trying to put together a rough training schedule and I was wondering what I should shoot for as a longest ride before Cool Breeze. Any ideas? So far my longest ride has been 42.5 miles.

[tprevost]

Brandy,

Given the shape you are already in... I'd say if you can ride 40-50 miles a couple of times in the same week that'll give you a good base. I'd be doing at least 80-100 miles a week with one long ride for at least several weeks ahead of the ride and you'll be just fine!!! Plus a few hilly rides just so you get the hang of the granny gear (cause you can't power up the hills that are several miles long all the time! ;) )

I'm working on base still but will be doing mostly 25-50 milers with a metric and a 70 miler thown in. I'm still slow as molasses though!!!

Trac'

ps. You'll probably get some better advise from some of the riders that have more experience but you are already really strong and probably just need to learn how to pace yourself for that distance!

[bcipam]

Okay...I'm trying to put together a rough training schedule and I was wondering what I should shoot for as a longest ride before Cool Breeze. Any ideas? So far my longest ride has been 42.5 miles.

A metric to 75 miles is good. Just work on a good base. Remember a week or two before the ride you need to tamper off. I would not ride after the weekend or Monday before the Ccentury. Just stretch or go on slow, short rides. Definitely nothing after Wed. Two weekends before is a good time to do your longest ride. I always figure if I can do a metric without problem I can struggle through a century.

[Brandy]

Thanks for the advice ladies!

[Brandy]

A metric to 75 miles is good. Just work on a good base. Remember a week or two before the ride you need to tamper off. I would not ride after the weekend or Monday before the Ccentury. Just stretch or go on slow, short rides. Definitely nothing after Wed. Two weekends before is a good time to do your longest ride. I always figure if I can do a metric without problem I can struggle through a century.

Should we plan a group metric century to 75 miles with hills for August 5th then? That would put us two weeks prior to Cool Breeze.

[tprevost]

Any chance of moving that metric ride up a weekend (we're camping on the 4th-6th)???

T~

[Brandy]

Any chance of moving that metric ride up a weekend (we're camping on the 4th-6th)???

T~

That's fine with me.

[bcipam]

Can we do it on a Sunday so I can join you???

[tprevost]

maybe July 30th???

[Brandy]

maybe July 30th???

Sounds good to me, I'll save the date in my calendar.

[Brandy]

You would have been so proud of me. No white knuckling it down the hills today!

[tprevost]

Whooo Hooo!!!! Great Job Brandy!!! Was it a good ride? I haven't been on my bike since Saturday and it doesn't look like I'm going to get on it until this coming saturday :eek: I've just got to stop eating! ;) UGH!

T~

[Brandy]

It was a good ride! Tiff and I got over lots of fears this morning...hills, traffic, riding with no bike lanes, taking the left turn lane and riding on PCH!

[Brandy]

We're doing 50 miles tomorrow...I can't wait!

http://www.routeslip.com/map.php?map=2087

ETA: If you click on the link and zoom in, you'll see that we're riding right through houses...lol. There is a bike path, but unfortunately it doesn't show up on the map, so I had to improvise and guess where it ran...lol ;)

[Tiffanie]

We're doing 50 miles tomorrow...I can't wait!

http://www.routeslip.com/map.php?map=2087

ETA: If you click on the link and zoom in, you'll see that we're riding right through houses...lol. There is a bike path, but unfortunately it doesn't show up on the map, so I had to improvise and guess where it ran...lol ;)

So we're not doing Newport Coast Drive??

[Brandy]

So we're not doing Newport Coast Drive??

If after all of that climbing, you feel like doing Newport Coast Drive we can throw it in somehow...lol.

[tprevost]

Actually, Newport Coast from East to West isn't bad at all. I just got into my granny gear and plugged my way; its hardly a grade - just long and hot in that corridor. Now of course Mike (Pam's friend) and ACG were on hammocks with drinks by the time I got done, but I wasn't tired, not breathing hard and HR was very low.

You two can whip that right out!!!!

T~

ps. I am told that the road from West to East is much harder, so why don't you two do it that direction and let me know how it is????

[Brandy]

I think Newport Coast will be on the menu for next week sometime. :D

[bcipam]

Here's the thing about Newport Coast - the two sides are almost the same. I think the East/West route is about 1.3 miles and the W/E is 1.6 miles so not much difference in length and I've been told that the gradient is also not all that different (anywhere from 3 - 6 percent). I think what I hate about the Ocean side is that I usually don't do it until after I've put in some mileage, say 25 - 30 miles and am just tired. The E/W side (which I did last night) I usually do after a warm up of say 10 - 15 miles and am still fresh. Neither are particularly easy for me but the Ocean side just seems like it's 5 miles longer.

I may have told you this story... I have a friend training for the "The Bear" - she wanted to do the distance (100 miles) and the elevation (9000') before the ride. She rode the Ocean side of Newport Coast for 8 hours!!! Up and down, up and down, up and down... for 8 hours. OK personally I could never ever be that focused on one task for so long, second, after that, I would never ever again want to ride NC. It would be ruined for me.

[caligurl]

I may have told you this story... I have a friend training for the "The Bear" - she wanted to do the distance (100 miles) and the elevation (9000') before the ride. She rode the Ocean side of Newport Coast for 8 hours!!! Up and down, up and down, up and down... for 8 hours. OK personally I could never ever be that focused on one task for so long, second, after that, I would never ever again want to ride NC. It would be ruined for me.

YIKES!!!!!!!!


http://www.smileycons.com/img/emotions/122.gif

[Brandy]

I may have told you this story... I have a friend training for the "The Bear" - she wanted to do the distance (100 miles) and the elevation (9000') before the ride. She rode the Ocean side of Newport Coast for 8 hours!!! Up and down, up and down, up and down... for 8 hours. OK personally I could never ever be that focused on one task for so long, second, after that, I would never ever again want to ride NC. It would be ruined for me.

Pam,

I was just telling Tiff the other day that we should do hill repeats on NC and I thought of when you told me about your friend doing that. That's some serious dedication!

[Tiffanie]

If after all of that climbing, you feel like doing Newport Coast Drive we can throw it in somehow...lol.

Eh. We can do it another time. http://www.tinklebelle.com/Smilies/images/laughinghard.gif

[Tiffanie]

ps. I am told that the road from West to East is much harder, so why don't you two do it that direction and let me know how it is????

Sure Tracy... only for you. :p

Pam, your friend has some serious dedication. I couldn't imagine doing that over and over and over....

[bcipam]

My friend (who btw happens to be a hand surgeon) told me after doing NC for 8 hours she could tell me every crack, bump, patch of dirt etc on the climb side. On the downhill side she would just almost close her eyes (it is a scary descent). She's an awesome rider and obviously very dedicated to her sport. Me? I avoid the hill at all cost!!! AND.. I have no desire, whatsoever, to ever do the Bear!

[Ninabike]

Pam - Is NC the one we didn't do? Alex and I have decided to "give in" and get triples on our bikes!!

Nina

[caligurl]

nina... don't consider it "giving in".... consider it a move to allow you to do rides and climbs you want to accomplish.... and to do so comfortably!!!!!!!!

there is no shame in a triple!!!!!!! http://www.smileycons.com/img/emotions/119.gif

[Ninabike]

Cali - You're right. We had triples on our previous bikes, but we kinda got "talked into " getting compact doubles on our current bikes by the LBS guy (he is no longer there). You really do lose versatility though, both on the low end and the high end.

[caligurl]

when i was still in the planning/looking process for my new bike.... hubby looked into a compact for me... did the calculations, etc... and determined that i would loose too much off both the top and bottom.... just like you said! i already "spin out" coming down hills... i would have started spinning out sooner on a compact! and for several of the climbs... i go to my very easiest gear.... i think they could have gotten me there.. but at the expense of my higher gears... so we decided on the triple.. then when i changed my mind from a custom to a ruby.... the bike shop tried to convince me i needed a compact... fortunately they weren't that pushy (not that i would have changed my mind! lol!) cuz i KNOW i woulda been uber disappointed with a compact!

[bcipam]

Nina (and Alex):

I know with those beautiful C50's, the shop felt a double would look best. And there is nothing wrong in a double. Take my friend Wayne for instance. He's 45 soon to be 46. He can climb hills like Newport Coast in his middle gears. Even mountain biking he seldon hits the granny chainring BUT, a double suits his style of riding. He is extremely strong, has that strength to weight ratio thing going, can ride in a high cadence even in the tall gears and he hasn't yet blown out his knees (although with all this singlespeed riding that may be coming!).

A triple doesn't mean you are weak, or old, or incapable... it just suits another style of riding. I ride in a comfortable candence most of the time usually around 85 - 90. When I hit a hill, I may drop to 60 - 70 which is still fairly high for a hill. I get into a nice rythem and just climb. If it weren't for the triple I would have to drop my cadence below 60 and most likely stand and power up most hills (I still do this for short hills like freeway overpasses but certainly can't do it for Newport Coast). Great way to blow out the knees and exhaust my energy. With my triple I can ride and ride and ride... Got up some incredible hills in Utah which I wouldn't be able to do (and still complete 80+ miles a day) without my triple.

That said, no shame in a triple - we want you guys to keep up on the hills!!!! And Record does have a beautiful triple...

And yes, Newport Coast is the hill Tracey, Audrey and Mike did...

[Ninabike]

Yeah Pam, I want to be able to do Cool Breeze and a triple it is!! I am much more comfortable in a higher cadence, especially on hills where I feel if my cadence is too slow, I am going to fall off. I am also going to make a real effort to ride during the week after work and on hills. When it comes to hills, I know there is no substitute for the real thing!!

[bcipam]

WORD!!!!! ;)

Although I hate hills, I do hills because they are my enemy and I must conquer them!!!

[caligurl]

WORD!!!!! ;)

Although I hate hills, I do hills because they are my enemy and I must conquer them!!!

http://www.smileycons.com/img/emotions/117.gif

[Brandy]

We did it! Our longest training ride and our first significant climbing!!!!! It's all in my blog :) 51 miles and 2500+ feet of climbing!

[tprevost]

Okay Brandy and Tiffanie (actually, and Caligurl too)

It should be illegal to look that good in spandex... you guys SUCK!!! :p

T~

ps. GREAT Job today ladies! (just reading the blog)

[Tiffanie]

We did it! Our longest training ride and our first significant climbing!!!!! It's all in my blog :) 51 miles and 2500+ feet of climbing!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v703/jody68/greenstars.gifhttp://www.paklinks.com/gs/images/smilies/yahoo.gifhttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v703/jody68/greenstars.gif

It was such a great ride!!!

[tprevost]

okay, I guess I'm going to have to get serious now about my training... now that Brandy and Tiff have graduated from the white knuckle club, I'm in BIG trouble!!!

Trac'

[Tiffanie]

Okay Brandy and Tiffanie (actually, and Caligurl too)

It should be illegal to look that good in spandex... you guys SUCK!!! :p

T~

ps. GREAT Job today ladies! (just reading the blog)

It's the shorts, I tell ya!! :p The Pearl Izumi Sugar Short. I love them. http://www.tinklebelle.com/Smilies/images/yes2.gif

[Tiffanie]

okay, I guess I'm going to have to get serious now about my training... now that Brandy and Tiff have graduated from the white knuckle club, I'm in BIG trouble!!!

Trac'

Tracy, Brandy and I had put off going down ANY hill until yesterday. We finally "conquered" (lol) Edwards hill here by my house. It's a very short but steep hill. Rode up at the start of the ride and down at the end of the ride. It was so fun!

So today, we couldn't wait to hit downhill. It was truly exhilarating and we wanted more! more! more! :D

[tprevost]

.... like I said... I'm in BIG trouble! :rolleyes:

[caligurl]

Okay Brandy and Tiffanie (actually, and Caligurl too)

It should be illegal to look that good in spandex... you guys SUCK!!! :p

T~

ps. GREAT Job today ladies! (just reading the blog)

oh please... look who's talking???????????????? sheesh!

and i've actually got 5 pounds that i'm lugging around that i don't need (in-n-out.... tommy's..... coldstone..... pat and oscars... http://www.smileycons.com/img/emotions/174.gif) so "I" certainly don't think i look so great!


as for graduating from the white knuckle club... way to go! http://www.smileycons.com/img/emotions/202.gif

[bcipam]

Brandy and Tiff - great ride! You won't have any problems on Cool Breeze especially if you eat at the sag stops. Just an FYI - for next time, there is a park at University and Jamboree that would probably be a better starting point. At least there's a bathroom. Guess I need to really get out and start doing longer rides. My longest since last November has been 50 miles. Need to start pushing up the mileage on the weekends.

[Brandy]

Thanks for the tip Pam. I'm sure that Ralph's would appreciate me not peeing in their parking lot again. :eek:

[tprevost]

Thanks for the tip Pam. I'm sure that Ralph's would appreciate me not peeing in their parking lot again.


Brandy you are TOOOO funny! Tiff should'a snapped a picture of you peekin' out the bushes! ;)

Trac'

[Brandy]

Hey...I HAD to go! At least I did it in the bushes. :D

[tprevost]

well... when ya gotta go..... :p

I'm sure I could tell you quite a few interesting stories born out of desperation! ;)

You ladies did really well today! Congrats on a ride well done!

Trac'

[caligurl]

Hey...I HAD to go! At least I did it in the bushes. :D

http://www.smileycons.com/img/emotions/89.gifhttp://www.smileycons.com/img/emotions/201.gif

[Brandy]

You ladies did really well today! Congrats on a ride well done!


Thanks Tracy!! I think that you would have LOVED this ride, I kept telling Tiff that we need to plan this one as a TE ride for the fall when it cools down and it won't be a big deal if we have a later start.

[Tiffanie]

Thanks for the tip Pam. I'm sure that Ralph's would appreciate me not peeing in their parking lot again.


Brandy you are TOOOO funny! Tiff should'a snapped a picture of you peekin' out the bushes! ;)

Trac'

She didn't inform me of her camera on her person until I had a mouth full of food otherwise I would have! :p

[redhot3368]

Good Job on the ride Brandy and Tiffanie!!!
BTW Brandy you write really well, your blog is great! :)

Karen

[tprevost]

"I think that you would have LOVED this ride, I kept telling Tiff that we need to plan this one as a TE ride for the fall when it cools down and it won't be a big deal if we have a later start."

Heck, as long as its under 95 when I'm done I'm good ;) Maybe Caligurl and I should do it! Its a LOT hotter where she lives but I seem to be okay in relatively warm weather.

I went on routeslips.com and checked all my routes for elevation gain... my 40 miler actually has 3300+, my 51 miler has about 3100, and my 34 miler has about 2200+. The wine country loop is 25 miles 1155 of gain but I can do it twice and it becomes respectable.... NOW, I guess the thing to do is to actually do more riding than 'routeslipping' huh???

Oh boy, I am in big trouble ;) (Pam, I am NOT stressing, more like whining because I've got a little work to do!)


Hope ya'll are bringing tow ropes!

Trac'

[redhot3368]

"I think that you would have LOVED this ride, I kept telling Tiff that we need to plan this one as a TE ride for the fall when it cools down and it won't be a big deal if we have a later start."

Heck, as long as its under 95 when I'm done I'm good ;) Maybe Caligurl and I should do it! Its a LOT hotter where she lives but I seem to be okay in relatively warm weather.

I went on routeslips.com and checked all my routes for elevation gain... my 40 miler actually has 3300+, my 51 miler has about 3100, and my 34 miler has about 2200+. The wine country loop is 25 miles 1155 of gain but I can do it twice and it becomes respectable.... NOW, I guess the thing to do is to actually do more riding than 'routeslipping' huh???

Oh boy, I am in big trouble ;) (Pam, I am NOT stressing, more like whining because I've got a little work to do!)


Hope ya'll are bringing tow ropes!

Trac'

Hey Trac,
I have dibs on the tow ropes...teehehe ;)
I can't wait for THREE HARBORS!!!

[tprevost]

"I have dibs on the tow ropes...teehehe "

I called it first... neener neener neener!!! :p Okay, I'm a goober, I'm sitting here laughing!

Karen, I've either forgotten or I just don't know, which route are you doing at Cool Breeze???

T~

[redhot3368]

"I have dibs on the tow ropes...teehehe "

I called it first... neener neener neener!!! :p Okay, I'm a goober, I'm sitting here laughing!

Karen, I've either forgotten or I just don't know, which route are you doing at Cool Breeze???

T~

Hi!
I signed up for the metric, BUT it seems all of you guys are doing the century!
I have Saturday's Metric, then the Windmill, then I was planning on the July 30th ride (that Brandy suggested) so I will see how i do on those rides.
Going from a metric to a full century seems like such a BIG jump to me!!
I am so nervous to do a century, BUT with all you girls doing it, I may just go for it! :) :)

[tprevost]

Well, I think you may want to try it. The theory is that you can go 3x your 'regular' distance if you fuel and hydrate properly. I will probably only do more than 50 miles 2-3 times at most before the century; then I will pace myself slowly for the first half to make sure I don't burn out.

I'm leaving here at 12 today to head up to Ventura so I'll see ya in the morning! :p

T~

[caligurl]

redhot... what's your riding been like up to now? how many miles... how long riding... etc?

[bcipam]

Here's my take and Cali can add about doing a century...

There are many ways to train and be prepared. There are those who set themselves up on a regular training routine and each week increase the intensity and length of their training rides culminating in doing something short of or a full century just prior to a century ride.

I have done a ton of centuries but have never ever been on a century training schedule. I do try to get out and ride and build a good base each week. Right now I'm riding 5 - 6 days a week, both mountain and road bikes. Not really long distances but getting in seat time and building strength and endurance.

I do plan on making Sundays my long road bike day. My plan is to do 40 - 60 miles each Sunday through July but if something else comes up I'll do what I can. Personally I know not much else is needed but... and this is a big but, I've been riding a long time and know what I and my body can do. I know when I can push and I know when I have to pace. I think I've gotten tne nutrition thing down.

For new riders and especially first time century riders its the fear of the unknown that's at issue. Just one word of caution - don't overtrain. Make sure you are tapering off the last 2 weeks before the ride. Work on the nutrition thing. For every ride over 30 miles you should be fueling on a regular basis to prevent bonking later on. Water and food - needs to be done. Getting bonky 40 miles into 50 isn't so bad, getting bonky 40 miles into 100+ is bad!!!!
There is this thought of taking it slow in the beginning in order to pace oneself. I do believe in a good warmup - at least 15 - 20 miles at a good, but easy pace. But if one feels good - then ride and ride hard if you feel like it. There will be plenty of chances to stop and rest, refuel and refurbish along the way. Just trust me on this... it's so much easier on the butt, feet, hands, body and psyche if you ride for 7 - 8 hours and not for 9 - 10 even if that means you have to push it at times. That's the real key for uber cyclists like Cali - she can ride past that 9 hour mark but it takes true grit and spirit ( and short term memory loss) to stay in the saddle so long.

RedHot - here's my suggestion. Ride with us all (or whoever depending when everyone statrts) until the second sag stop. At this point the metric riders turn back and the century riders continue on to the lunch stop. Make your choice then. The second half of the ride is so beautiful and keeps you going even if you get tired and... there is always the sag wagon. No shame in sagging, at least you tried.

My first century... started out as a 50 miler. It was the Tour de Tucson. My plan was to start with my friends who were doing the century but cut the ride short. Problem was I enjoyed myself too much, kept going and at the 80 mile mark realized I had only another 28 miles to the finish. Now had I known how difficult those 28 miles would be on my body (especially my feet), I may have packed it in but I kept pushing. Most riders will tell you this, after 80 miles your body will break down no matter how much you train or are prepared. Your feet will hurt. They just will. So stop and massage them. Your back, booty, neck everything will hurt. That's the whole thing about a century its a long ride like doing a running marathon - there is a wall. Prepare yourself to break through the wall. Just know you can do the ride and you will do the ride. Any self doubt, then I would stick to the metric.

PS - I did the Tour de Tucson in total time 8 hours, 15 minutes. I never felt like I was riding hard. I kept riding steady and pushed the downhills and pacelined when I could to save energy. I was really good about fueling at the sag stops and keeping hydrated. My only problem - my feet were killing me!!!! I just had to deal with them.

[tprevost]

Karen,

Pam is right on. I did Cruisin' the Conejo with very little base and a lot of 'pacing' myself, along with making sure I ate and drank. I did just fine and I was not sore nor did I have any major issues after the ride (I did the 68). In fact, had I conserved a tad more energy I really think I could've done another 32 if I'd had to (it wouldn't have been pretty). Of course, I could NOT have done the 'actual' century route as the hills would have been too much. Once you have tomorrow's ride and Windmill under your belt, you'll probably feel more comfortable committing!

T~

[caligurl]

I have done a ton of centuries but have never ever been on a century training schedule.

Just one word of caution - don't overtrain.

That's the real key for uber cyclists like Cali - she can ride past that 9 hour mark but it takes true grit and spirit ( and short term memory loss) to stay in the saddle so long.



ditto.... i never had a tru century training for my first... or any subsequent centuries! hubby did build me up when first started riding.... i had my first 20 mile ride... my first 25 miles ride... first 40.... first metric... etc!

on thing that works for me... i NEVER ride the day before a big ride (ok... i think i had one or two exceptions to that, at most! but you get my gist!) it works FOR ME!

the taper thing is good advice... i've read it before... i've never been able to live by that (especially when having centuries or other long rides each weekend! UGH! plus i have the added "stess" of figuring out morning workouts so as to not have sore legs on saturday... but we won't go there!

oh pam... you are too kind... i don't consider myself an uber cyclists! but i do agree it takes grit to remain in the saddle so many hours (and if i were faster... i could get off the saddle sooner!!!!!!!!!!)

soooooooo that said.... i just want to say EAT at the rest stops... don't worry about calories (if that's your thing... to count and not eat too many!)... just EAT! and DRINK! even if it's just water (my first was done on just water.....) i didn't start drinking gatorade til i started doing more hill climbs! and even then.... i, personally only drink it in the beginning of the ride... and continue the rest of the day/ride with just water! but again.. that is ME! do what works for you!

ok... i'm rambling! lol!

[redhot3368]

THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!!
I love the encouragement of this group!!
I'm in!!! :)

I will be doing at least 3 metrics in July, then my normal mid week rides of 18-20 miles twice a week (if possible)

Thanks so much girls!!!


Tracy, See you tomorrow ...7 am!!!!!

[caligurl]

oh! i get to meet redhot!!!!!!!!!!!!

(i STILL don't know what i'm wearing! i have it narrowed down to 3 outfits: pink.... white..... lt and dark blue!)

[redhot3368]

oh! i get to meet redhot!!!!!!!!!!!!

(i STILL don't know what i'm wearing! i have it narrowed down to 3 outfits: pink.... white..... lt and dark blue!)

Hey Caligurl!!!
I will be a wearing a bright yellow jersey!! And I have long red hair and lots of freckles, can't miss me!!
I will be at the check in table at 7 am!!
Looking forward to meeting you!!
Karen :)

[tprevost]

Okay, after today's ride.... I am planning to ride Cool Breeze at an average pace of 12, yes... 12 mph!!!

I rode three harbors today (report/pics coming later) and while on the flats we were riding anywhere from 14-16ish and I still had a 12.7mph average over the 55 miles. There were a few grades, nothing major and I did wait while peddling very slowly (I will be stopping from now on :p ) for another woman to get up the grades; HOWEVER, there is NO way I will evening be thinking of anything more as an average.... sorry, party pooper here :rolleyes:

just giving everyone a 'head's up' ;)

t~

[Brandy]

Tracy,

I think that will be similar to what I'll be riding. Our average for the 52 mile ride the other day was 13 mph and I can only imagine that adding more climbing and another 50 miles will slow me down even more. I'll be right there with ya babe! :D

[caligurl]

tracy..... i rarely plan on a certain average for a ride... and NEVER plan on one for a brand new ride (i have looked at my average before a ride i've done.... and yes... make that a goal... but that doesn' always work!) just ride and enjoy it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Brandy]

http://www.tinklebelle.com/Smilies/images/hearye.gifI have a formal announcement to make...

Tiffanie has a dilemma. It's Cool Breeze vs. the Tim McGraw concert. To me the choice is clear, but she's not decided yet. Come on ladies...help me convince her that Cool Breeze is the right choice!

[caligurl]

oh i LOVE that smilie!!!!!!!!!!!!!

uhm.... ya.... i've seen tim in concert... and even had excellent seats... you still don't see that much.... definitely COOL BREEZE! lol!

[Brandy]

Maybe if we promise to serenade her with Tim McGraw songs during the ride, she'll choose us over him. Or maybe not. http://www.tinklebelle.com/Smilies/images/laughinghard.gif

[caligurl]

Maybe if we promise to serenade her with Tim McGraw songs during the ride, she'll choose us over him. Or maybe not. http://www.tinklebelle.com/Smilies/images/laughinghard.gif

hmmmmmmm not sure which way would be the best to approach that one... sing???? not sing???? hmmmmmmmmmmmm

[tprevost]

Well, I'm not actually committing to 12mph, but the point was that there's no way in H*l* I can do 15mph on even my best day :p I'm just going to have to 'ride my ride' and if people want to ride w/me great (Of course, I hope they will) but if I'm holding people up, I'm totally fine riding by myself!

Trac'

ps. Tiffanie, what are you thinkin' woman? You can see Tim McGraw anytime... COOL BREEZE!! COOL BREEZE!! COOL BREEZE!!

[caligurl]

http://www.smiliegenerator.de/s30/smilies-27560.png http://www.smiliegenerator.de/s30/smilies-27560.png http://www.smiliegenerator.de/s30/smilies-27560.png http://www.smiliegenerator.de/s30/smilies-27560.png http://www.smiliegenerator.de/s30/smilies-27560.png http://www.smiliegenerator.de/s30/smilies-27560.png

[Tiffanie]

You gals are crackin' me up!!! Caligurl, I love the smilie - where'd you get it?!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v372/BrandyMama/butbutbut.jpgI'M SOOOOOO TORN!!!! I can't decide yet - it's making me crazy! My sis and I have had 5th row seats to this concert for 4 months! And even if he's not too impressive vocally, ummmm - I really wouldn't mind just watching him move for a coupla hours. http://www.tinklebelle.com/Smilies/images/naughty.gif

[caligurl]

You gals are crackin' me up!!! Caligurl, I love the smilie - where'd you get it?!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v372/BrandyMama/butbutbut.jpgI'M SOOOOOO TORN!!!! I can't decide yet - it's making me crazy! My sis and I have had 5th row seats to this concert for 4 months! And even if he's not too impressive vocally, ummmm - I really wouldn't mind just watching him move for a coupla hours. http://www.tinklebelle.com/Smilies/images/naughty.gif


i made it at... http://www.smiliegenerator.de they even provide you a link to either email it or post it! lol!

http://www.smiliegenerator.de/s30/smilies-27699.png

[bcipam]

Well, I'm not actually committing to 12mph, but the point was that there's no way in H*l* I can do 15mph on even my best day :p I'm just going to have to 'ride my ride' and if people want to ride w/me great (Of course, I hope they will) but if I'm holding people up, I'm totally fine riding by myself!

Trac'

ps. Tiffanie, what are you thinkin' woman? You can see Tim McGraw anytime... COOL BREEZE!! COOL BREEZE!! COOL BREEZE!!

Tracy... stop stressing. You ride whatever the heck speed you want to ride, no one will force you to do otherwise... OK???? I mean this in the nicest way. It's your ride, you do it at your pace. Now stop worrying.

Actually I don't mind going slow. I have in the past done this ride quite fast and don't feel up to it this year. Just did a 20 miler with Richard and he and it kicked my butt. I'm tired!!! I'm actually getting alitle worried about the distance. Need to stop mountain biking and do more road riding - if nothing else for the seat and pedal time.

[caligurl]

"Signup NOW, we will be filled this week!"

yesterday they had 119 slots... today we are greeted with the above message!

[redhot3368]

Hi girls!
Channel Islands Bike Club is the club that puts on the Cool Breeze!
I joined the group about a month ago, of I haven't ridden with them yet!
I am FINALLY working up the nerve for a group ride and am going this Saturday.
Anyhow, they are having a few training rides (going through parts of the routes for the cool breeze rides)
Check out the schedule
http://www.cibike.org/page2.html

I am riding with them this Saturday, and a few more times until Cool Breeze.
I know it is a drive, but if anyone wants to come out and try a ride, let me know!!!
thanks!
Karen

[Brandy]

Who is planning to ride the century at cool breeze, and who is opting for the metric instead?

[caligurl]

well... i'm doing the double metric... but i think it's way too soon to be deciding to downgrade from the century to the metric! it's a month away!

i would re-ask this question a couple of days before the ride! until then... you should ALL forge ahead with your training/plans to do the century!

[Brandy]

Oh, I'm still planning on the century caligurl...but there's been talk of doing the metric from some others, so I was just curious :D She still hasn't decided yet, but it looks like I'm losing my riding partner, so I need to gear up for riding alone if everyone else is doing the metric.

[caligurl]

ahhhhhhhh ok... gotcha!!!!

i was just being "evil coach caligurl"!

[bcipam]

Well I have to say I'm torn. I just haven't had the opportunity to do long rides and prepare. I could do a century but I will suffer. The metric would be easier. Brandy you can decide the day of - let's see how everyone does and feelsup until then. I really need to do some long rides but this hot weather is holding me back. Hopefully I will be doing a Belmont Shores ride (about 70 miles) on Sunday. Then we will see how I feel. Also the ride on the 30th will help make a decision. If I can survive that I most likely can do the century.

[redhot3368]

HI brandy,
I was planning on the century, so you won't be alone!

Karen :)

[redhot3368]

Tracy is doing the century too....
Right Tracy??

[caligurl]

yes.... last i heard... tracy plans to do the century... her first! so don't bail out on her now!

[Brandy]

I have no plans to bail out! If I can do a metric, I can surely do a century with a little more food in my belly. :D I'm glad to hear that you're in for the century Karen!

[caligurl]

and you belly will be well fed at cool breeze!

[Tiffanie]

Oh, I'm still planning on the century caligurl...but there's been talk of doing the metric from some others, so I was just curious :D She still hasn't decided yet, but it looks like I'm losing my riding partner, so I need to gear up for riding alone if everyone else is doing the metric.

I'm sorry Brandy. :( I feel like such a poo-poo head!!! (that's the cleanest version I could think of in place of what I really want to say ;) )

As to not leave you hanging, I've decided to go to the concert. There are many more upcoming century rides to choose from and I look forward (hope) to have you as a riding partner for my first one. By then, you'll have done Cool Breeze and you can be my mentor. lol!

I'm glad to see there's going to be at least a couple other century riders! <<nodnod>>

[Tiffanie]

Oh and I'm really bummed that I now won't be able to wear the jersey that I pre-ordered. :(

[Tiffanie]

I guess I should also follow up with this:

If anyone still needs registration and a women's medium jersey, they're up for sale. :o

[bcipam]

Oh and I'm really bummed that I now won't be able to wear the jersey that I pre-ordered. :(

Why won't you be able to wear the jersey? Ok OK I understand usually I have to earn a jersey to wear it but stopped that nonsense long ago. I now sometimes buy jerseys cause they are pretty and I have someone pick it up for me (like this year's Wild Flower Jersey).

Anyway - Brandy/Tracy where are you all staying Friday night? Looks like Wayne and I be coming up Friday so we can start out with you early on Saturday (and I won't have to get up at 3 to do so). We are definitely doing the century.

[Brandy]

I'm driving up in the morning. :eek:

[tprevost]

I'm staying the night before and still plan on doing the century :p ... just got back from Healdsburg and it's been a really long day in the car so I'll post more tomorrow.

Trac'

[Ninabike]

Hey Brandy, I plan on the metric and would drive up that morning. By the way, I love your avatar.

Nina

[ACG]

I am signed up for the cool breeze, some of my local friends are going, but will look for you! Don't know about spending the night, gotta make sure I have the funds.

[Brandy]

I'll be there, but I'm coming up the morning of.

[tprevost]

I'll be there the night before... still planning on doing the 100 ;)

t~

ps. Karen, no worries... I'll track you down! Is your DH coming too?

[roadfix]

I'm registered for the 100. I'll be 'camping' with some camping gear and my laptop :D in my vehicle the night before in the start/registration area. Beats driving up in the morning...

G.L.

[tprevost]

I'm registered for the 100. I'll be 'camping' with some camping gear and my laptop :D in my vehicle the night before in the start/registration area. Beats driving up in the morning...

G.L.

What time are you planning on starting?

[redhot3368]

I'll be there the night before... still planning on doing the 100 ;)

t~

ps. Karen, no worries... I'll track you down! Is your DH coming too?


Yep!!! Tony is coming...he is doing the DOUBLE metric ....Crazy I tell ya...hehhehe :)
I told him to start WAY after me, I CERTAINLY don't want him finishing the Double metric before I can finish the century! But I am sure he will...oh well!!

[tprevost]

Hi Cool Breeze Riders!!!
Cool breeze is coming up quick!! less then 3 weeks away.
Shall we get a plan going on where to meet??
I would like to start riding as soon as we can...6:30 am..
Does that work for the rest of the you??
I have only met Cali and Tracy, so would you two look for
me?? I would like to try and all start out together.
Let me know what you guys think!!!
OH and we can also check in the night before for whomever
is coming up then.

Thanks!
Karen :)


Karen,

You're not staying the night before are you??? Isn't it like 20 minutes from your house???

T~


oooops... forgot to ask... I can't remember if Kim is coming????? I hope so!

[redhot3368]

Karen,

You're not staying the night before are you??? Isn't it like 20 minutes from your house???

T~


oooops... forgot to ask... I can't remember if Kim is coming????? I hope so!


Hi! No I am not staying the night before...But I am going to try and check in the night before.
I WISH Kim could go, but she is going Camping that weekend, I told her she would have more fun with us, but she didn't buy that :)

[tprevost]

Hi! No I am not staying the night before...But I am going to try and check in the night before.
I WISH Kim could go, but she is going Camping that weekend, I told her she would have more fun with us, but she didn't buy that :)


what a goober she is! I'm bummed that we won't see her smiling face!

t~

[roadfix]

What time are you planning on starting?
I'd like to get rolling by 6:30......:)

[caligurl]

Yep!!! Tony is coming...he is doing the DOUBLE metric ....Crazy I tell ya...hehhehe :)
I told him to start WAY after me, I CERTAINLY don't want him finishing the Double metric before I can finish the century! But I am sure he will...oh well!!

'scuse me... what's so crazy about it? hmmmmmmmmm? (well... other than that 50 gillion percent hill at mile 90 something? http://www.smileycons.com/img/emotions/84.gif)

i'll be there... doing the double metric.... driving up that morning....

[tprevost]

I'd like to get rolling by 6:30......:)


Cool, maybe we'll get to ride w/you for the 30 seconds it'll take you to drop us (well, more me)! :p It will be nice to see your smilin' face though so be sure to find us before you take off!

T~

[redhot3368]

'scuse me... what's so crazy about it? hmmmmmmmmm? (well... other than that 50 gillion percent hill at mile 90 something? http://www.smileycons.com/img/emotions/84.gif)

i'll be there... doing the double metric.... driving up that morning....


hehehehe....!! You go Cali!!!!.. I just can't quite imagine 125 miles on a bike all in one day with what 9000 ft of climbing..yikes!!
to be honest....I can't believe I am going to do 100 miles!!

[redhot3368]

'scuse me... what's so crazy about it? hmmmmmmmmm? (well... other than that 50 gillion percent hill at mile 90 something? http://www.smileycons.com/img/emotions/84.gif)

i'll be there... doing the double metric.... driving up that morning....


oh, and I meant Crazy in a GOOD way...:) :) :)

[caligurl]

lol! you'll do just fine!!!!!!

but technically... this one is 128 miles! but i only (only????) have 7,230 ft of elevation logged for last year????? but then.... who's counting when it gets to be that much, eh????

[tprevost]

lol! you'll do just fine!!!!!!

but technically... this one is 128 miles! but i only have 7,230 ft of elevation logged for last year????? but then.... who's counting when it gets to be that much, eh????


I think you left off a digit or two on that elevation number from last year darlin' :p

[caligurl]

no... for cool breeze.. not the whole year, silly!!!!

[tprevost]

lol! you'll do just fine!!!!!!

but technically... this one is 128 miles! but i only (only????) have 7,230 ft of elevation logged for last year????? but then.... who's counting when it gets to be that much, eh????


I'm lookin' forward to finishing the 100; especially since I will be getting in a 60 miler next weekend... right now... mileage is good :p

[tprevost]

no... for cool breeze.. not the whole year, silly!!!!


oh, okay, then I'm okay w/that ;) ... at least it makes sense now :rolleyes:

[Brandy]

I'm registered for the 100. I'll be 'camping' with some camping gear and my laptop :D in my vehicle the night before in the start/registration area. Beats driving up in the morning...

G.L.

Oh good...my photographer will be there...more shots of my backside! :p

[roadfix]

Oh good...my photographer will be there...more shots of my backside! :p

:D
Well, since we're all doing the 100, it looks like I'll be just behind you and Tracy...

[caligurl]

:D
Well, since we're all doing the 100, it looks like I'll be just behind you and Tracy...

what am i? chopped liver... I'M not doing the 100 :mad:

sheesh! so not ALL of us doing the 100...... details details details!

[roadfix]

what am i? chopped liver... I'M not doing the 100 :mad:

sheesh! so not ALL of us doing the 100...... details details details!

:confused:
I can't follow you!....you're doing the double metric, aren't ya..?:confused:

[tprevost]

:confused:
I can't follow you!....you're doing the double metric, aren't ya..?:confused:


I don't think you can go slow enough to follow me.... you might just fall over :eek:

T~

;)

[tprevost]

:D
Well, since we're all doing the 100, it looks like I'll be just behind you and Tracy...


oops, I meant to quote this post... not the other one... sorry, long day over here!

[roadfix]

I don't think you can go slow enough to follow me.... you might just fall over :eek:

T~

;)

That's ok.....I need to polish up on my trackstanding skills anyway...:p

[Fredwina]

I'm probably going to try and get started around 6:30 and trying to get a 15-16 mph average. Not sure if I'm driving out Friday or Saturday mornings.
One thing that seems to have slipped people's minds is a common meeting place.... Either before or after. I'll probably be out there with some friends from my bike club. They usually drop me after the first mile, but we do usually hang around to make sure all our folks are in. It would be nice to know peoples start times and expected paces, but I'm used to doing these solo.

[tprevost]

That's ok.....I need to polish up on my trackstanding skills anyway...:p


seems like you've got the trackstands down just fine ;)

[tprevost]

I'm probably going to try and get started around 6:30 and trying to get a 15-16 mph average. Not sure if I'm driving out Friday or Saturday mornings.
One thing that seems to have slipped people's minds is a common meeting place.... Either before or after. I'll probably be out there with some friends from my bike club. They usually drop me after the first mile, but we do usually hang around to make sure all our folks are in. It would be nice to know peoples start times and expected paces, but I'm used to doing these solo.



Fredwina,

I am really looking forward to meeting you!!! Have you done this ride before? I'm not sure what to suggest as a gathering place because I've not been there before....

I am pretty sure we'll all just say hello and kinda toodle off at our own paces but I think it would be nice to meet and then make sure everyone is in safely at the end.... I plan to get on the road at 6:30ish as well but my pace will be pretty relaxed (first 100 and I want to make sure I've got some 'juice' to make it to the end....)

Anyway, if you know of a good gathering place for between say... 6:15 and 6:30, that would be great!

T~

[bcipam]

The ride starts at a school. I did the ride from there last year. If I recall there really isn't a very obvous place for folks to meet. It isn't a mass start... people will be coming and going at random. What we can try and do is meet right there at the corner (hopefully this is obvious) of the school where the road way and the parking lot road begin. I will try and wear my red, white and black BCI jersey. I ride a 2002 Lemond (it's blue and silver). Tall and heavy (or "fluffy" as I like to call it).

If you go to the bikeforums.net website, go to Road Cycling, look up "Tour de Sugar Shorts" and go to page 6 - there are lots of photos of our gang - Tracy, myself, Audrey, Judy. Also Brandy and Tiff are featured in the first pages of photos. I'm the big gal wearing a BCI jersey. Tracy is in lavendar. Audrey has on a bright yellow/green shell. Hopefully this will give you some help in finding (at least one of) us.

Can't wait to meet everyone!

[bcipam]

For first time century riders - go to Pooks thread - "FOR GRINS" - the mailbox photo there is something special we will see on our route!!!!! Actually there are lots of special things we will see - including Ophray W's house (well entrance to it at least). It's such a pretty ride. Really... it's beautiful.

[caligurl]

:confused:
I can't follow you!....you're doing the double metric, aren't ya..?:confused:

well... if you'd give me the head start to get through the "slasher movie" section of the bike path... and up over casitas.... my route meets up with all your you's guys and gals route! i think we stay together a while.... i know we go off for a couple miles right before a rest stop somewhere... then after we go back to the park rest stop the 2nd time... that's when i head off to that DREADFUL hill while you's all head back!

[caligurl]

and expected paces, but I'm used to doing these solo.

i don't think the first timers KNOW their expected pace... they don't know the route and they've never done a century before....

i've been hammering into their heads for MONTHS to PACE THEMSELVES and not to try to keep up with anyone else... cuz it will burn them out!


the meeting place after is easy.... at the FOOD, of course!

[caligurl]

[QUOTE=tprevost]
I am pretty sure we'll all just say hello and kinda toodle off at our own paces but I think it would be nice to meet and then make sure everyone is in safely at the end.... I plan to get on the road at 6:30ish as well but my pace will be pretty relaxed (first 100 and I want to make sure I've got some 'juice' to make it to the end....)[QUOTE]


http://www.smileycons.com/img/emotions/183.gif SEE!!!! tracy "gets" it! lol!

[Brandy]

I have one goal. Finishing!! Oh wait...I take that back. I want to eat too. thompson over at BF is doing SAG and I think that I've been promised extra bagels, or was it cookies? Either way, I'm happy!

[caligurl]

I have one goal. Finishing!! Oh wait...I take that back. I want to eat too. thompson over at BF is doing SAG and I think that I've been promised extra bagels, or was it cookies? Either way, I'm happy!

yep.... that was MY goal at my first century too! i finished with energy to spare... and SO WILL YOU! lol! (and so will tracy and karen and all the others! as long as you pace yourself... to YOUR comfort riding level!)

they'll ring a bell... and if it's like last year..... you'll get a bumper sticker that says: my first century was a cool breeze!

[caligurl]

tracy and brandy have heard this... but karen and any other first timers.... i want you to know that "I" know you can do it...

i've NEVER been told i could not do or finish a ride... NEVER!! even when "I" had doubts.... the ONLY thing i EVER heard was YOU CAN DO IT!

and NEVER NEVER NEVER did i EVER hear "there are bail out points if you can't do it" (which makes sense.. cuz of course.. i've never been told never! lol!)

if i ever even thought of mutting the words "i can't" i got told "YOU CAN"

so get out there.. ride your ride... and come back to here (or BF) and tell us all about it!!!!!!!!!

http://www.smileycons.com/img/emotions/195.gif

http://www.smileycons.com/img/sports/09.gif

[redhot3368]

tracy and brandy have heard this... but karen and any other first timers.... i want you to know that "I" know you can do it...

i've NEVER been told i could not do or finish a ride... NEVER!! even when "I" had doubts.... the ONLY thing i EVER heard was YOU CAN DO IT!

and NEVER NEVER NEVER did i EVER hear "there are bail out points if you can't do it" (which makes sense.. cuz of course.. i've never been told never! lol!)

if i ever even thought of mutting the words "i can't" i got told "YOU CAN"

so get out there.. ride your ride... and come back to here (or BF) and tell us all about it!!!!!!!!!

http://www.smileycons.com/img/emotions/195.gif

http://www.smileycons.com/img/sports/09.gif

Thanks for the encouragement!! I needed that!!!

Karen :) :)

[Fredwina]

like Pam, I'm a POG (Person Of Girth!). aka Hill slug (how did I get talked into doing the bear?) But I digress.
I have a sliver/Red Cannondale. There are some pics of moi on my blog. I should be wearing the "new" Cycling Connection jersey. They are Hi-Vis yellow w/ Cobalt blue trim, should it be easy to spot. I would offer the Hocus Focus as a rally point, but I'm not sure If i'll be carpooling or not. should know more by sunday.

[greenmachine]

tracy and brandy have heard this... but karen and any other first timers.... i want you to know that "I" know you can do it...

i've NEVER been told i could not do or finish a ride... NEVER!! even when "I" had doubts.... the ONLY thing i EVER heard was YOU CAN DO IT!

and NEVER NEVER NEVER did i EVER hear "there are bail out points if you can't do it" (which makes sense.. cuz of course.. i've never been told never! lol!)

if i ever even thought of mutting the words "i can't" i got told "YOU CAN"

so get out there.. ride your ride... and come back to here (or BF) and tell us all about it!!!!!!!!!

http://www.smileycons.com/img/emotions/195.gif

http://www.smileycons.com/img/sports/09.gif

:D Thanks Caligurl!!! :D

I will be riding MY ride as slow and steady as I need to do it. I know that if I start out too fast, I'll blow up. I need a good long steady warm-up. Me and Tracy had this conversation last Sunday. I think we are on the same page here...right Tracy?

Me and Sylvia are coming to Ventura Friday night and staying over and we will be starting at 6:30 also. I have 3 other friends coming too, besides all you gals and guy(s?).

[Brandy]

tracy and brandy have heard this... but karen and any other first timers.... i want you to know that "I" know you can do it...

i've NEVER been told i could not do or finish a ride... NEVER!! even when "I" had doubts.... the ONLY thing i EVER heard was YOU CAN DO IT!

and NEVER NEVER NEVER did i EVER hear "there are bail out points if you can't do it" (which makes sense.. cuz of course.. i've never been told never! lol!)

if i ever even thought of mutting the words "i can't" i got told "YOU CAN"

so get out there.. ride your ride... and come back to here (or BF) and tell us all about it!!!!!!!!!

http://www.smileycons.com/img/emotions/195.gif

http://www.smileycons.com/img/sports/09.gif

http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/thankyou.gif caligurl...your encouragement is greatly appreciated!

[tprevost]

I have one goal. Finishing!! Oh wait...I take that back. I want to eat too. thompson over at BF is doing SAG and I think that I've been promised extra bagels, or was it cookies? Either way, I'm happy!


... and are you sharing?????? :p

[tprevost]

like Pam, I'm a POG (Person Of Girth!). aka Hill slug (how did I get talked into doing the bear?) But I digress.
I have a sliver/Red Cannondale. There are some pics of moi on my blog. I should be wearing the "new" Cycling Connection jersey. They are Hi-Vis yellow w/ Cobalt blue trim, should it be easy to spot. I would offer the Hocus Focus as a rally point, but I'm not sure If i'll be carpooling or not. should know more by sunday.


Totally OT Fredwina, but the next time you guys ride around Lake Elsinore, can I come?... its just down the street from me :p

[tprevost]

tracy and brandy have heard this... but karen and any other first timers.... i want you to know that "I" know you can do it...

i've NEVER been told i could not do or finish a ride... NEVER!! even when "I" had doubts.... the ONLY thing i EVER heard was YOU CAN DO IT!

and NEVER NEVER NEVER did i EVER hear "there are bail out points if you can't do it" (which makes sense.. cuz of course.. i've never been told never! lol!)

if i ever even thought of mutting the words "i can't" i got told "YOU CAN"

so get out there.. ride your ride... and come back to here (or BF) and tell us all about it!!!!!!!!!

http://www.smileycons.com/img/emotions/195.gif

http://www.smileycons.com/img/sports/09.gif


Thanks Caligurl :cool: you're the best!!!

[Fredwina]

Update:
I am driving out myself on Friday night. I have a Silver Focus Sedan with a dented front bumper. I'm going to try to get started around 6:45 - 7:00. I'm playing around with Google Maps to see if I can find a good meeting spot, but I'm not seeing anything, Maybe we can meet afterwards, since it sound like we will be riding at different paces and routes.....

[tprevost]

Update:
I am driving out myself on Friday night. I have a Silver Focus Sedan with a dented front bumper. I'm going to try to get started around 6:45 - 7:00. I'm playing around with Google Maps to see if I can find a good meeting spot, but I'm not seeing anything, Maybe we can meet afterwards, since it sound like we will be riding at different paces and routes.....


I know that several of us will probably at least check in w/each other somewhere near the registration area in the morning... I for one would prefer not to start until I know everyone is 'good' to go (ie: no mechanicals etc.). I do plan on being on the bike and riding as close to 6:30. I am also hoping to be able to pick up my registration stuff on Friday night... hopefully that will make Saturday morning easier :p

I'm really looking forward to this ride!

Tracy

[caligurl]

fredwina.... i'm a little slow sometimes... lol! haven't we actually already met???? at conejo? when my hubby and i were talking to tom, sue, sylvia and fred after the ride? i remembered this weekend that we also met another person.... and i think it was probably you since you seem to do a lot of rides with them! they are awesome people and i ALWAYS enjoy seein them at rides! (i actually met tom and sue the first year i did breathless agony at morning registration!!)

[caligurl]

Maybe we can meet afterwards, since it sound like we will be riding at different paces and routes.....

if you all start the century ride at 6:30.... you'll be long gone on your way home before i even get in! lol! i've got 30 more miles and 4000 more feet of climbing to do and it took me a LONG time last year! (i've always said i'm a REC rider... not a racer! and not fast!)

[redhot3368]

I know that several of us will probably at least check in w/each other somewhere near the registration area in the morning... I for one would prefer not to start until I know everyone is 'good' to go (ie: no mechanicals etc.). I do plan on being on the bike and riding as close to 6:30. I am also hoping to be able to pick up my registration stuff on Friday night... hopefully that will make Saturday morning easier :p

I'm really looking forward to this ride!

Tracy

I too am planning on picking up stuff Friday Night! And Tracy is right, we should all plan on meeting around the registration area Sat morning..6:15ish
I have a silver specialized sequia with pink accessories. the bar tape, seat and bottle cages are pink. I have long red hair, so I can be spotted pretty easily. I will probably call Tracy first thing to find her, then we can find everyone else!!!
I too would like to start at 6:30 am.

Karen

[Brandy]

I'm not staying up there, so I'll have registration stuff to deal with on Saturday morning. I'd like to start fairly early as well!

[Brandy]

if you all start the century ride at 6:30.... you'll be long gone on your way home before i even get in! lol! i've got 30 more miles and 4000 more feet of climbing to do and it took me a LONG time last year! (i've always said i'm a REC rider... not a racer! and not fast!)

Yeah, but if you do your pee, refill and eat on the run approach and the rest of us take our time at rest stops, you'll make up some time! :p

[caligurl]

Yeah, but if you do your pee, refill and eat on the run approach and the rest of us take our time at rest stops, you'll make up some time! :p

i HAVE to do that (not stop at rest stops too long) otherwise i'll still be on the road at 8:00 that night! lol!

in all seriousness.... last year VERY FEW people started the ride AT 6:30 (including double metric riders)..... the parking lot was just starting to fill up as we were leaving.... so even if you plan a 7:00 start... i have no doubt (barring mechanicals) that you'll ALL be done 3:00 or WAY sooner! (including your stops! lol!)

the main reason hubby rode with me to our first water break was cuz NO ONE else was even on the route yet! :eek: (and it was the mad slasher movie set section!) once we hit the water stop... people started catching up (and passing) so he took off on his own from there! and i met up with a ton of century riders on when our two courses collided (ha ha i don't mean REALLY collided!)

[Fredwina]

Cali -
Hey , you beat me at the Bear! If can ever lose some more wieght, But I should be gald that i've kept the 100 pounds off!
Yes, I was with Tom & Sue and Fred & Sylvia at CTC after the ride. We're all in the same club(Toms' the prez, I'm the secretary). Tom & Sue are doing CB as well, but I'm not even going to attempt to hang with them .They do the Como street ride in OC quite a lot. When I rode up to Windmill with them , they were asking me who Amber Nieben(Winner of Redlands this year) was. They had dropped her on Como! They,ll probably do it in 4:15.
Looking forward to meeting every one there! 6:15 it is....

[caligurl]

tom and sue are SICK fast on that tandem!!!!!!!!!!!!! :eek:

[caligurl]

I'm not staying up there, so I'll have registration stuff to deal with on Saturday morning. I'd like to start fairly early as well!

if it's the same as last year... registration doesn't open til 6:30..... (i have it to deal with too... driving up there that morning... this is one i have to get up at 12:30 a.m. to get ready to leave! UGH!)

[tprevost]

if you all start the century ride at 6:30.... you'll be long gone on your way home before i even get in! lol! i've got 30 more miles and 4000 more feet of climbing to do and it took me a LONG time last year! (i've always said i'm a REC rider... not a racer! and not fast!)


... don't know what you're thinkin'.... you'll probably already have eaten In N Out by the time I'm done!!!! ... Okay, actually, we'll probably finish near the same time :p but definately not long gone!!!!

I'm lookin' forward to seein' your smiling face Cali! :D

t~

[tprevost]

But I should be gald that i've kept the 100 pounds off!


Holy Cow Jana... WELL DONE!!!! :D :D :D

[caligurl]

... don't know what you're thinkin'.... you'll probably already have eaten In N Out by the time I'm done!!!! ... Okay, actually, we'll probably finish near the same time :p but definately not long gone!!!!

I'm lookin' forward to seein' your smiling face Cali! :D

t~

tracy (and everyone else) NO WAY is it going to take you over 10 hours to do this century!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *stomps foot* i have spoken! lol!

it took me almost 9 and a half hours RIDE time last year.... yes... i TRY to breeze through the rest stops (ha ha ... breeze through.. i'm funny! :rolleyes: ) anyways... yes... i try to be quick... but we're talking some serious hills! (and that evil one that thomson keeps talking about at mile 97! AAAAAAAGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!) but i digress!

i predict.. that you will be done with the ride in about 9 hours! that INCLUDES your stops (unless you stop for looooooong periods of time at the rest stops!

i don't know how much i'll be smilin' before the ride... cuz i KNOW what i'm getting myself into this year!

[redhot3368]

I am hoping to be in and out of the rest stops too.
From what I am hearing that is the best way to do it, not to spend too much time at the rest stops.
Is this right?

[caligurl]

I am hoping to be in and out of the rest stops too.
From what I am hearing that is the best way to do it, not to spend too much time at the rest stops.
Is this right?

i can ONLY speak for ME... and yes... i much prefer to get in and out... i do NOT like long long rest stops! my longest stop is usually lunch cuz it takes a few extra minutes to eat a sandwich!

it appears there are people that prefer longer stops... i'm forever seeing folks laying around (*GASP*) i rarely ever even SIT at a sag stop! lol!

when i got my flat on palomar and was stopped for too long fixing it... i HATED getting back not he bike... my legs were SCREAMING cuz they were tightening up on me!

you need to do what works for you... i can't tell you quick stops or long stops... only you can decide what works best for you!

(how's that for a non-committed answer!)

[tprevost]

tracy (and everyone else) NO WAY is it going to take you over 10 hours to do this century!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *stomps foot* i have spoken! lol!

it took me almost 9 and a half hours RIDE time last year....

i predict.. that you will be done with the ride in about 9 hours!

Well, see????? We'll be done about the same time!!! :p

T~

[tprevost]

I am hoping to be in and out of the rest stops too.
From what I am hearing that is the best way to do it, not to spend too much time at the rest stops.
Is this right?


... the longer you spend at the rest stops, the more your legs get bogged down... mine always feel like lead after stopping... and it gets worse the longer I stop!

t~

[caligurl]

Well, see????? We'll be done about the same time!!! :p

T~

you're so silly! you have to read what i actually wrote! it took me 9:23 RIDE time.... i expect you do do your's in that TOTAL time!

[Brandy]

... the longer you spend at the rest stops, the more your legs get bogged down... mine always feel like lead after stopping... and it gets worse the longer I stop!

t~

I noticed that when we had a rider that flatted twice on Saturday. It was really hard for me to get going again. I should have stretched my legs during that time, but instead I was busy taking pictures of them changing the tires. :p

[Fredwina]

Well, Ladies, I touched wheels in 25 mph paceline on the Santa Ana Trail at Chapman today. I'm more than likely out for CB. The Er doc didn't want to comment , but I should have an appointment with An Othropod early next week. Until, then I'm learning how to do things one handed. Cannondale Evans is usual, unscathed.
Have fun, and ride lots for me!!!!
Jana

[redhot3368]

Ohh Jana!!
So sorry to hear about the crash!!
Best wishes for a speedy recovery!!
Heal up quick!
Let us know when you are back...

Karen :)