Stp

[TsPoet]

Who's doing STP in 2006?
I'll be there, probably on my Bacchetta Corsa, if anyone wants to try it.

[climbingbiker]

I'm doing the STP for the first time this year. I'm a little nervous because I'm a little behind in mileage if I were to follow the suggested training plan. My husband says that though our mileage isn't where it should be, he isn't worried because I'm so stubborn. That's all well and good, but stubborn doesn't make your legs feel any better or your butt hurt less.

[salsabike]

My husband and I will be going on our tandem. Two days last year, aiming for one day this year.

Take heart, climbingbiker--the suggested training mileage is the ideal thing, and being a little behind it is okay.

[climbingbiker]

Thanks salsabike! That makes me feel better coming from: a) an impartial party and b) someone who has ridden it before. Good luck with the one day ride.

[Susan Otcenas]

ClimbingBiker,

If you are truly a climber, you'll find STP to be a piece of cake. It's amazingly flat for such a long ride. Not to say it *is* flat, but there are no real climbs either, save a one-mile-ish hill around mile 40 or 50.

I've done STP 3 times. In 2 days on my single, in 2 days on a tandem, and in 1 day on a tandem. If I were ever to do it again, I would try for one day on the single.

You will be amazed by the variety of people riding. And believe me, no matter how slow you might *think* you are, there will be oodles slower. So have no fear about being out there all alone. In fact, after riding in such close quarters with so many others, youll be wishing for a little space to call your own.

Have a WONDERFUL time!

Susan

[Eden]

The hubby and I will be there.

[Joan]

I had all sorts of plans to be in great shape by now. I"m signed up to do STP to raise money for my nonprofit organization. HMMM. I may be road kill at the end of the first day.

Actually, I think I'll do the first day OK, but the second?

Does anyone know if you can go past Centralia the first day and start up at say mile 120 on day two?

Should be interesting!

Joan Medlen
www.firstgivng.com/jmedlen

[salsabike]

Yes, you can. We did that last year. We arranged to stay with a family (through Cascade) that lived in Vader, at about mile 126.

[Aint Doody]

If the Bethel Church has any room left, it's wonderful. Great food and they have big screen TV's with the Tour on. Plenty of showers, too.

Personally the STP was way too many people for me--espcially the ones who haven't a clue about what they're doing.

[Dianyla]

I'm registered to do this, but am now thinking about bailing out. I think I'm in decent enough shape (well, sorta ) but I just found out I have a final exam on the Monday following so I should really spend the whole weekend studying.

I'm going to play it by ear, I think.

[colby]

Who's doing STP in 2006?
I'll be there, probably on my Bacchetta Corsa, if anyone wants to try it.

Wish I could! There's a TON of stuff that weekend that I wish I could be doing, but a friend of mine picked THAT weekend to get married. Sigh!

Have fun, ladies

[climbingbiker]

Susan - thanks for the words of wisdom and pointing out that I may have picked a misleading name! Though I don't mind hills, I wouldn't call myself a 'climber' in that sense. Mountaineering, not cycling.

Joan - I'm staying in Vader as well. Everyone I've talked to told me to go as far as possible the first day to make the second day more pleasant.

[TsPoet]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who's a little nervous about this ride. I am way behind where I thought I'd be training-wise. My one hope is that slowing down will help me get there - I usually ride about 16-18 mph for about 20 miles. I'm going to ride with a number of people who are planning on 10-12 mph and "no one gets left behind" - if I can go their speed, I'm hoping I can go farther.
Then there are the crowds of cyclists to be nervous about.

Oh bother.

[Bike Goddess]

5 of us from the Bay Area are staying in Vader as well! We are staying at the chruch there (bag drop off point). Heard the food was great as were the accommodations.

I've stayed in Castle Rock the past two years and didn't like the food. So this time a little further from Portland in the hopes that the food will be better!

Am looking forward to a great time! I'll wear my Amici Veloci jersey on Day One so you can spot me on the route. Please say something!!!!!

If it is windy or cold, I'll be wearing a bright yellow windbreaker or my Benicia Bicycle Club jacketalso bright yellow). I have a Scott bike. Not too many of those around (yet).

[climbingbiker]

Today was supposed to be a nice casual 80 mile day - around Lake WA with an additional South Lake loop. Started off great... my bike computer decided to quit out of the parking lot and I was truly free! I was really enjoying the ride because I wasn't so focused on the numbers. I never realized until today how much attention that little thing received.

It was such a gorgeous day! I love riding Lake WA Blvd and the Arboretum was a nice shady treat. We picked up the Burke at UW with no issues until Kenmore. A little boy jumped out in front of DH and I didn't stop in time. Clipped his back tire and it sent me sailing into the right fence. I am now the proud owner of 10 lovely stitches right below the knee cap and a sore neck.

I still have hope that I'll be out with y'all. Send the good healing vibes my way