Seattle to Portland Double Century (STP)
Hiya Hill Slug -
Sending an early welcome your way before the STP in July! I'm in the Seattle area and have done the STP 5X and am planning to ride it again this year. So, if you have any questions about it, just give a shout out, ok?
Glad to support another TE rider!
Team in Training does a great job of supporting and prepping riders and I have met plenty of folks over the years who enjoyed the experience. It's great to not only enjoy riding, getting fit and healthier, meet great folks but to have your efforts make a difference is pretty awesome too, eh? Good for you!
Mary
P.S. Also, given your handle, you may be pleased to know that you'd be better served to train for mileage rather than hills, as the STP route is not a hilly one. Sure, there are gentle rollers and long pulls that usually have headwinds, but nothing gnarly at all. Regardless of whether you ride it in 1 day or 2, you'll still be in the saddle for a long haul - either a 1 day double century or back-to-back centuries, so get your saddle time in and besides, a lot of it, especially towards the end, is all a mind game anyway, right? I usually use the last 50 miles to ride strong towards the finish, envisioning a hot shower, massage and cold brewski!
First Time TNT'er and TE'er
Hi Hill Slug!
I, too, am participating in TNT this year...a first timer, two weeks into training for the Lake Tahoe ride. At 46, and not having been on a bike in ummmm, well, a loooong time, it's quite the challenge. The first day I rode two weeks ago (23 degrees), I thought, am I nuts?? But today (50 degrees) and 170+ miles on my new bike, I'm thinking, hey I can do this!
For me, TNT offered the ultimate combination of getting in shape again (me), support and coaching from a certified trainer for a newbie, rejoicing in my dad's good health as a survivor of non-Hodgkins lymphoma, and raising funds for continuing research to support those who are battling blood cancers every day. Plus, I get to meet new people and peddle around the backroads in rural Wisconsin...and buy new toys! :)
Fund-raising is going well so far, but if anyone is willing to support a very worthy cause, here's my website: Cycle4aCure
Look forward to reading through the threads on this forum and picking up tips, techniques and encouragement.
Happy cycling!
-UpNorth123
I am a part of Team in Training too!
I started out scheduled to do the Baltimore Marathon when my back started to give out only after about 5 miles. I had major back surgery 3 years ago. My husband is a road biker and really wanted me to get into that with him. Well...here I am riding my new Specialized Dolce Elite and LOVING it with NO back problems. I am addicted. I switched my Team in Training event to ride the Sea Gull Century www.seagullcentury.org on October 8, 2005. Team in Training has given me the team support to ride...found some women to ride with (since my husband still blows me away but not for long) AND I am raising money for a wonderful cause. It really hit home for me when my dog who is like a child to me was diagnosed with myeloma just recently AFTER joining TNT. Before joining TNT, I didn't even know whay myeloma was and now I am riding for that cause.
Overall, the experience is wonderful and I would suggest it to anyone since it is so motivational. Here is my link for your reference:
Jeanne's TNT Website