Livestrong Challenge - schedule for 2009

[bluebug32]

I've never been to this area, so all the info. is helpful. Thanks!

I need to install the Facebook app. I think we should all friend one another to spread encouragement and show everyone else how cool it is to ride/donate!

[Mr. BlueBug32]

Ok, so maybe I'm really missing something.

On the Cue Sheet, it tells you to turn onto Old 40 Road, then onto bridge road, but according to bikeroutetoaster, the numbers don't match up, the roads don't intersect, etc etc.

Now, I know I'm completely unfamiliar with the area, but why can I not figure out where this bloody route goes? Anyone have it GPSed yet?

[bluebug32]

Ok, so maybe I'm really missing something.

On the Cue Sheet, it tells you to turn onto Old 40 Road, then onto bridge road, but according to bikeroutetoaster, the numbers don't match up, the roads don't intersect, etc etc.

Now, I know I'm completely unfamiliar with the area, but why can I not figure out where this bloody route goes? Anyone have it GPSed yet?

Mr. Bluebug32? Oh no, we have another man invasion!

[Possegal]

I have the 45 mile ride on my Garmin. http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/6778283
I'm sure you can search there for plenty of folks that uploaded their rides from the longer distances.

The names of the streets mean nothing to me even after riding it twice. They are so well marked and manned that we never had to worry about it

[Mr. BlueBug32]

I think I figured it out (mis-named on the Cue sheet, and if you go backwards to forwards, it is the same road)

Here it is, as best as BRT allows:

http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=43017

[ny biker]

I've traced the cue sheets on google maps in the past, and there were some discrepancies between street names from google and those on the cue sheet. But Kim is right, this is the best-marked ride I've ever done. I bring the cue sheet with me for backup but have never looked at it on the route.

I haven't had a chance to look over this year's cues yet, since I spent 4 hours last night working on upgrading my virus-scan software after having a problem with a trojan on my pc. (Yippee, it was fun - not.) But I'll try to look it over in the next day or so to see what the problem might be.

=====
Okay, I compared the cue sheets for the 70 mile ride, and it is exactly the same as the one from last year. Of course it's possible that something might change by August, due to road work or something, but it was very consistent for the last 2 years.

The turn at 7.53 miles is onto Old Forty Foot Rd, according to google maps - the cue sheet calls it Old Forty Rd. The turn at 7.56 is onto Quarry Bridge Rd, which quickly turns into Quarry Rd. The cue sheet calls this Bridge Rd.

I seem to recall that in cases where the cue sheet names did not agree with the google names, the actual street signs agreed with the cue sheet.

BTW, the difficult hills start after the rest stop at 20.54 miles (RS#2). And for those doing the 70 miler, the left turn onto Dairy Lane at 32.4 miles begins a sweet downhill section. Something to look forward to when you're huffing up Huff's Church Rd...

[ny biker]

For anyone traveling to Austin in October, your bike can fly for free:

http://www.livestrongchallenge.org/s...639&ct=6921593

[Possegal]

My motto on the Philly ride - what goes down, must come up.
That rest stop at 20 miles is funny because you know what lies ahead. The first year my sister said - oh I think all the worst hills are behind us at that rest stop. Then we were like - oh no, they were just ahead of us!

Last year I sent a text back to our "encampment" at the start line from that rest stop, telling them that we were heading into the big hills so send positive vibes. Of course my brother who trains in Pittsburgh was all - those hills? you thought they were bad? Dude blew us out of the water and he's 20 yrs older than I am. I must do more training back in my home town!

[bluebug32]

For Philly, I'm trying to pick the best hotel for two nights. I know the Doubletree and Homewood Suites received high praise. Anyone stay at the Summerfield Suites by Hyatt? They appear to be the cheapest and the closest.

[Possegal]

No idea, sorry. I don't think that one was an option the last year at least. I remember the Homewood Suites being the closest to the venue last year. I'm sure it is just as nice though.

[bluebug32]

I did part of the Philly course last weekend (big 60 mile loop). It was pretty warm that day. We were eternally grateful for the kind woman at an Amish fruit stand who turned us loose with her garden hose so we could refill our bottles and cool off. I know climbing difficulty is relative, but there are definitely two long, steep monsters to tackle and then handfuls of short steepies. I was loving my granny gear by the end of this one. The Garmin said we did over 5,000 feet in 60 miles.

Even though the pre-ride had me a little bummed and discouraged, I'm still really looking forward to this and to riding my first century. I'm sure the energy on that day will be amazing!

[Mr. BlueBug32]

Indeed, it looks like the elevation will be in the 7500-8500 foot range.

There's no more glorious suffering than a good, long, painful climb. Although the "pucker up" descent did take the wind out of my sails.

Thanks for the info folks, it's been very helpful to BB32 and I.