The 4 hour barrier

[Geonz]

A little bit of caffeine - tea in the water bottle - propels me right on through those hours. (What's IM?)

[Wahine]

A little bit of caffeine - tea in the water bottle - propels me right on through those hours. (What's IM?)

IM = Ironman, the ride is 112 miles, 180 km.

Thanks everyone. I am going to look into some nutrition alternatives. Think I'll start with the clif bloks. Diet is pretty good but I may need to look into it a little more.

CR 400 - You're right to do just have to push through. I have already done a very challenging, hilly 80 miler as part of an organized ride this spring. So I know I can ride longer. The problem is making myself stick to it mentally.

Part of the problem I'm having is that it is so hilly here I tend to over estimate how long it will take me to do a loop, (because I think I should be a lot slower in the hills). So I set out to do 70 miles and it takes me less time than I planned, I finish the loop and now I have to make myself add an out and back to add time. Not only that, the out and back is likely to be hilly and it could be really hot. That's what happened this weekend.

As for organized rides, I love them and I really do well on rides like this. But funds are very short right now and I have to be really careful about spending so....

Definitely no Jamba Juice in the area. I'd be lucky to find an espresso bar along my routes. I am definitely in rural USA.

I love the suggestion about ferrying my car some place so I *have* to go and get it.

Thanks again everyone, I really appreciate your input. It helps a lot. Makes me think things through differently.

[Alex]

Wahine,

Which IM are you training for?

Alex

[Veronica]

Next time you want to stop early imagine me telling you, "Don't be a wuss! If I can be on the saddle for 16 hours, you can do 5 or 6! Now PEDAL Gosh Darn It!"

Okay so I don't get off the bike and run a marathon... but you get my point.

So how far away is the Columbia River Gorge? Do I need to come ride with you?

V.

[Starfish]

So how far away is the Columbia River Gorge? Do I need to come ride with you?
V.

Aaah...Veronica, Wahine is about 4.5-5.0 hours away from me! You should both come up and do the 112 mile loop up here!

Wahine: I know you're not traveling just now, but when you are, it so happens that there is a perfect route for you here...112 miles, 7000' climbing. You can see the route and elevation gain at: http://www.olympiccyclingclassic.com

And, you had your chance to ride with wussy old me. Now Veronica is talking about coming up here to ride with you...now you're REALLLLLLY in trouble!

[Wahine]

Alex - I'm training for IM Canada on August 26th. I still have lots of time, but I'd like to get as many long rides in as I can.

Veronica - You rock. I can already hear your voice in my head. It's about a 12 hour drive up here. You can make it for my next long ride (not this weekend but the next), can't you?

Starfish - You're right, now I've got V on my azz. That ride looks amazing. I am definitely getting it together to come up sometime this summer.

[Veronica]

If you're free, come do the Tour de Blast with us, June 23.

V.