Triple Crown Breakfast

[Veronica]

Yes I went. It was fun. Breakfast was quite good.

If it's your first year you get recognized. I wish I had known I'd also have to talk, so I could have been better prepared. And they give you a water bottle.

They gave out the awards for the Stage Race Winners. The three women who won are super small and of course amazingly strong. It made me a little depressed to realize that I will never have a power to weight ratio to be competitive on the Stage Races. Thom's comment was that I should focus on actually finishing them before I think about being competitive. He's right of course.

For each of the people getting inducted into the Hall of Fame there was a background blurb shared. That was really interesting to hear about some of these people whom I've seen riding the Doubles since we started volunteering 4 years ago.

We took the motorcycle over. It was our first ride two up. It was a lot of fun. It's how amazing how slow 70 seems when you're on a bike becuase there is so much less wind at 70 than 80. I LOVE going fast. Thom only wound it up on two of the on ramps where he had good sight lines. Don't fuss Jo. He loves me and won't do anything stupid.

V.

[aka_kim]

The Pilot said you were a big hit. And he commented on how great you look (he normally never notices anything)! Congratulations, three double centuries is a huge accomplishment. Is the Hall of Fame in your future?

[Veronica]

The Pilot said you were a big hit. And he commented on how great you look (he normally never notices anything)! Congratulations, three double centuries is a huge accomplishment. Is the Hall of Fame in your future?

Thanks for the many compliments.

The Hall of Fame is a definite maybe. If my birthday 600K goes well, then PBP will be my focus for next year and the doubles will have to be fitted in around the brevet schedule. If it's terrible...I'm sticking with 200s and I'll try doing the stage races again.

At least this year the first one is a little bit easier - Mulholland.

V.

[SouthernBelle]

This sounds like a great thing.

Unfortunately, it is not apparent from your post what you are talking about.

[7rider]

This sounds like a great thing.

Unfortunately, it is not apparent from your post what you are talking about.

Yeah, Veronica.
What's the Triple Crown B'fast. What are these stage races?

[Veronica]

This sounds like a great thing.

Unfortunately, it is not apparent from your post what you are talking about.

Sorry - I worry that I go on and on...and bore people. My original reply was actually into response to Jo's question in the birthday thread. I didn't want to continue the hijack.

In California we have a series of 17 Double Centuries, 200 miles in one day. If you do three of them in a year, you get the the Triple Crown. Three of the hardest are selected each year to be stage races - they combine the time for these three rides to determine the stage race winner.

Near the end of the season there is a breakfast. First time winners (me!) are recognized, Stage race winners receive awards and people get inducted into the Hall of Fame when they have done 50 doubles.

V.

[Lise]

people get inducted into the Hall of Fame when they have done 50 doubles.

Wow. So, 3 down, 47 to go? Or had you done others before? You never bore *me* with your Triple Crown stories, V!

[jobob]

Me neither ! I love this stuff.

So V, is there any great wisdom (or at least, helpful tips?) you can share w. to those of us who are thinking about doing some long-distance riding next year?

[Veronica]

So V, is there any great wisdom (or at least, helpful tips?) you can share w. to those of us who are thinking about doing some long-distance riding next year?

Have friends who will pick up your coach when needed.

Make your training rides quality rides. Not every ride should be a hammerfest. Interval training is your friend. Long slow rides are not the way to train. Try to train 5 days a week. Spinervals really helped me through the winter. Train your core.

Pay attention to your body. You need to know what is pain you can put up with and what's not. Pain is inevitable. Managing it is the key to finishing. But to me that doesn't mean riding through something that may cause damage - hence the DMD DNF. We're not getting paid to perform.

Keep it fun. There are days I go out to ride and forget about my training plan and just enjoy the feel of the bike.

I've put all my training writeups on the website as part of the redo. In a month or so when I get serious about training again, I'll probably write another one.

V.

[salsabike]

Thanks, V. I think you can safely assume that most of us here really want to hear as much as you want to say about this! I sure do. I periodically do look at your website also. And very much congrats on the Triple Crown!

[Nanci]

Hi V,

What motorcycle do you guys have, and what is the Triple Crown??

We're probably taking our MC on it's first overnight trip the weekend after this, to Georgia. I always take four pillows with me- so I'm not sure how that's going to work out...We don't have the luggage rack put on it yet. It's be cool to have a trailer. But I bet that would be too dorky for BF. So rain gear and small overnight bag, I guess. It's less than 200 miles. I would like to _not_ go on the Interstate.

Nanci

[7rider]

In California we have a series of 17 Double Centuries, 200 miles in one day. If you do three of them in a year, you get the the Triple Crown. Three of the hardest are selected each year to be stage races - they combine the time for these three rides to determine the stage race winner.

Near the end of the season there is a breakfast. First time winners (me!) are recognized, Stage race winners receive awards and people get inducted into the Hall of Fame when they have done 50 doubles.

V.

Way cool!
So, did you do 3 this year, or more? Were the 3 you did the 3 stage races? Is that where your win came from?

[Veronica]

Wow, I had no idea, people other than family, actually read the stuff I wrote.

I only did three this year. You're a triple crown winner if you do three.

I had hoped to do the stage race rides, but DNFed on the first one - Devil Mountain Double. I was signed up for the second one, Central Coast, but decided that since I DNFed on the first one, it wasn't worth spending two nights in a hotel to go to Central Coast. Terrible Two, the third stage race, was very tempting, as my in laws were here visiting. But even though it is less climbing than DMD, to me it seems like a harder ride. So I didn't even sign up.

The motorcycle is a Ninja 650 (I think.) It's not very big, as Thom just learned to ride last year. It's made his commute so much better. You can see it on our website.

Another piece of advice for the long rides - have a nutrition plan for the ride. Towards the end of a ride, I have a harder time eating. Sustain has really saved my butt, because I can always get it down.

I always ride with a heart rate monitor. It helps me stay focused. MP never uses one, she would rather go by perceived exertion. I feel like I'm a slug so I use the HR to make sure I'm working where I should be.

V.

[Bikingmomof3]

Thanks V for explaining. I should have asked rather than stay in the dark.
Do not worry about boring us! Some of us who are new to the sport need some educating and inspiration (well at least I do). I am very impressed and a huge CONGRATULATIONS on becoming a Triple Crown Winner! I bow down to you.

[Veronica]

I bow down to you.

No bowing... I honestly think anyone can work up to doing a double - if you really want to. You do have to be kind of mental, both in the crazy and disciplined way.

I'd been wanting to do it for years. And finally just decided it was time to get serious about it. See my tag line.


Must go ride now.

V.