Stp?

[evangundy]

Can any of you STP veterans tell me how early 2 day riders can leave? Any last minute tips for a couple of STP virgins? bikerHen

Best advice I was ever given for STP: The rest stops can be the biggest time-suckers. At the rest stop, park your bike, get in line and get your food, take the food with you to the porta-potty line. By the time you have reached the front of that line, you'll be done with your food, use the facilities, go refill your bottles and leave.

Next best advice: communicate - call out "on your left" when passing, "slowing" when you slow down, "stopping" when you stop (and remember to pull off the road when you stop). This will help keep you from getting run over by riders behind you.

Don't go out too fast at the start. It's really easy to do - everyone's adrenalin gets pumping and you're in with a big crowd, and you'll try to keep up for awhile, and then late in the day you'll suddenly realize that you're worn out already and think "maybe I went out to fast in the morning".

You are out there with 9,999 of your best friends. You can still have lots of fun, but be aware of the riders around you and pay attention. Especially near the end of each day. There will be tired riders who are zoning out, not holding their line, maybe weaving. They aren't getting in your way on purpose, they're just really tired.

I try to say something cheerful to the few people I pass. It's harder when you're in a big crowd, but when it thins out, it's easier. I like to put a smile on those tired faces. I like it when those people passing me say something nice as they go by. It makes me stop thinking about how tired I am, even if for just a few seconds :-)

Have a great ride everyone, my DH will be there on his Long Wheel base recumbent, sporting his red/white hawaiian floral bodysock. His nickname is Slug :-) I'll be crewing for a solo racer on Race Across Oregon this weekend, out in Eastern Oregon, so I won't be on STP. Maybe next year I'll ride it again.

Edna

[Aint Doody]

Lisa, evangundy has good tips. And really be careful; there are lots out there who don't have a clue as to what they're doing. I hope your bike is all fixed up wheel-wise. You and Melinda have fun.

Susan