STP July 14-15 2007

[colby]

I signed up for a tri that weekend It's in my backyard (well, the bike goes by my backyard anyway ), so how can I argue. I really want to do STP someday, but I think next year I'll have to pass. There are always so many things going on that weekend, ARGH!

[TsPoet]

I am really glad I did STP, but I don't see any reason to do it again. I might, if I could have any hope of doing it in 1 day, but that's not for me. I rode with several people this year, 4 of us for the first time. Two of those 4 were smitten and talking about 2007 by the time we got to Portland. The other two of us were dumbfounded, why would anybody want to do this ride? It wasn't that pretty, it was way too crowded, it was dangerous in many places...
I think for me it was my blood boiling at all of the cyclists, rude to each other and terrible to cars! I completely understand the guy who (I'm told) puts tacks out in front of his house every year - he apparently didn't do it in 2006. The cyclist ride several abreast, cut off cars, just take over. I believe in "taking the lane" when there are 20 cyclists, I think it's safer. But, where there are 8000 - it's asking for some driver to go postal, they are completely trapped by cyclists for 2 days.
Between my high blood pressure at cyclists paying no attention to each other or cars and the lack of scenery (I really liked the ride around Napa View, I think it was), the constant turns (one good thing about all those other cyclists is not getting lost), the bad roads...
I won't ever do it again. I might consider it if they only allowed 4000 riders, might make it a fun pleasant ride.
I've heard many good things about RSVP, so that's what I'm shooting for next year. I'll never be a strong enough rider for RAMROD.

[jobob]

I was thinking about STP until I saw how many riders were involved. I'm completely with you TsP, I really dislike large group rides nowadays.

[KnottedYet]

Hmmmm, maybe I will do more research on the RSVP.

[jobob]

RSVP is a really pretty route. Hubby and I drove along Chuckanut Drive up to Bellingham a few years ago and we were thinking what a nice bike ride that would be. We wouldn't mind retiring up that way ... someday ...

[KnottedYet]

Nuts. The RSVP looks like the same weekend as the Danskin Tri.

Yeah, the Bellingham/Whatcom County area is nice. That's why 75,000 new people have moved there in the last 15 years. Housing prices have skyrocketed. Traffic is crazy. The character of the "City of Subdued Excitement" has definitely changed. Fairhaven has turned into an "Olde Fairhaven" theme park.

The artists and hippies and old-timers have moved out to Everson and Sumas and Nooksack.

(oops, I'm sorry, is my bitterness showing?)

You know what they say "you can't go home again". Sigh.

[Trek420]

Hmmmm, STP is sounding a bit like the Tour De Peninsula (Bay Area ride that friends don't let friends do the TDP), RSVP sounds better.

[Grog]

I was thinking about STP until I saw how many riders were involved. I'm completely with you TsP, I really dislike large group rides nowadays.

I'm in the exact same situation. I can handle 2000 riders, but not nearly 10000.

Same for RAGBRAI.

That's too bad. But I'd rather be safe than nervous and tense for two days.

[mimitabby]

I am really glad I did STP, but I don't see any reason to do it again. I might, if I could have any hope of doing it in 1 day, but that's not for me. I rode with several people this year, 4 of us for the first time. Two of those 4 were smitten and talking about 2007 by the time we got to Portland. The other two of us were dumbfounded, why would anybody want to do this ride? It wasn't that pretty, it was way too crowded, it was dangerous in many places...
I think for me it was my blood boiling at all of the cyclists, rude to each other and terrible to cars! I completely understand the guy who (I'm told) puts tacks out in front of his house every year - he apparently didn't do it in 2006. The cyclist ride several abreast, cut off cars, just take over. I believe in "taking the lane" when there are 20 cyclists, I think it's safer. But, where there are 8000 - it's asking for some driver to go postal, they are completely trapped by cyclists for 2 days.
Between my high blood pressure at cyclists paying no attention to each other or cars and the lack of scenery (I really liked the ride around Napa View, I think it was), the constant turns (one good thing about all those other cyclists is not getting lost), the bad roads...
I won't ever do it again. I might consider it if they only allowed 4000 riders, might make it a fun pleasant ride.
I've heard many good things about RSVP, so that's what I'm shooting for next year. I'll never be a strong enough rider for RAMROD.

I did STP once, it was quite an important accomplishment for me, almost a rite of passage here in the NW but i don't want to do it again. Too many miles on un interesting roads.
But i'd like to do RSVP again. Che Bella!!
It was so fun to go to Canada and through customs on my bike!

[KnottedYet]

Oh, WHY does RSVP have to be on THAT weekend? The Danskin website doesn't have the 2007 schedule up yet, but I have a sinking feeling.

http://www.cascade.org/EandR/rsvp/index.cfm

(oh dear, oh dear, oh dear)

Flossie wants to do both. RSVP sure would be fun with a bunch of TE'rs...

[mimitabby]

Yes, that's a drag. There are only a few really "safe" weekends in Seattle for weather. that one might be IT.

[java]

I've done STP 6 times, the first time was back in 1986 when there was only a few thousand folks. STP is well organized given the size and scope of the event.

As an experienced cyclist though, one has to go into it being prepared for the wide range of skill sets of those riding along. Yes, there's folks riding two or three abreast not giving way to cars, yes there's those who forget to pull over when they come to a stop in the middle of the bike path. But I don't think there's a ride out there with 9000+ riders on the road that's without people who lack experience (or good judgement) when riding in large groups.

My DP and I get a kick out of seeing people of all shapes, sizes, backgrounds, ages and ability out there working to achieving a common goal. Who can forget the skateboarder, those guys on big wheels, and the unicyclist, not to mention the old guy on the cruiser bike wearing jeans and the fellow who cycled all the way using a one-armed hank crank?

For many, STP is as much a social event as it is a double century, but we have found that we prefer starting early to get ahead of those for whom this might be their first big event, and we stay away from the large food stops (and long porta-pottie lines).

We're planning to do it again in 2007.

[MM_QFC!]

Yes, agree with all of your points, java...and I'm also a 6-time STP veteran - I rode it in 2-days during my first STP weekend in 1999, but have been a 1-day rider ever since. Speaking of the high number of people to ride it, that was the main incentive for me to ride it in 1 day, as one-day'ers have the road pretty much to themselves after the halfway area, where most riders stop, get their gear bags and head to their overnight locations...They don't close the Longview Bridge for 1-day riders and by the time I got over it each year, it became a mind game, as it's all psychological at that point, being in the saddle for so long and I just used the incentive of a cold beer as well as a hot shower - in my hotel room across the street, to keep me headed towards Portland! Yes, it makes for a long day, but I have a leisurely dinner, and can sleep in the next morning, enjoy a hot, sit-down breakfast and walk across the street to enjoy the finish line festival and welcome in any friends who are doing it in 2 days...
It is, as someone here mentioned, a kind of a rite of passage here in the NW, however my cousin's husband has come in from Fairfield, CT to ride the STP every year since 1997! The club opens up online registration for the STP sometime in January and yes, there is also registration at the Bike Expo (3/10, 11/2007) and @8-9000 riders are allowed. Also, since the STP weekend was moved to July, there has more reliable dry weather...although I've had to ride through some cloudbursts enroute a couple of times...and, if you start early early enough, you can avoid the hottest part of the day on the road.
Re: RSVP - yes, this used to be limited to 200 riders, but I heard that that number was increased recently;I'd still recommend registering early though, as it's become a very popular ride and for good reason. There aren't as many inexperienced cyclists who ride the RSVP, as it's a hillier ride than the STP (which is considered a very flat double century route). There is a need to plan your lodging early too, for both the mid-point overnight as well as in Vancouver, as well as arranging for yours and your bike's transport back home. It's a beautiful route and the acronym actually means Ride Seattle to Vancouver and Party! For the past few years, it's been on the same weekend as the international fireworks show in Vancouver too - spectacular!
This ride used to be held on the first Friday/Saturday in August, but it looks like it very well may conflict with the Seattle Danskin triathlon next year, which is usually scheduled during that 3rd weekend in August...beware too that the Danskin registration fills up about as fast as the RSVP does though, so those of you who want to do both may have a tough choice ahead of you.
That's my $.02!
Tailwinds!
Mary