Livestrong Challenges - 2010

[ny biker]

I hope they still have the packet pickup on Saturday for the bike rides. If they move it to Friday I'll have to take an extra day off from work and spend 3 nights in the hotel instead of 2.

[Possegal]

I was thinking the same thing NYB. Though now I guess I have to maybe put up our canopy on Friday. Which I can do since I do get into town earlier and my sister and brother in law live there so they can help. It just adds a new wrinkle when we thought we had all of this down to a science.

[ny biker]

This schedule for Austin 2009 is not encouraging:

http://www.livestrongchallenge.org/s...F/Schedule.htm

If they close packet pickup at 1:00 on Saturday, I will still have to take an extra day off and pay for an additional night at the hotel in order to be sure to make it on time. I'm sure many others who come from out of town would be in the same boat.

I think I will email them.

[Possegal]

Though Austin has the walk at a different location than the ride. So I'm hoping that makes it different. You are right though, can really cause a problem.

For you though -I'm sure I could help out. I'm there Friday and it wouldn't be a problem to pick up another packet. Just keep it in mind for next year.

[tongue_tied]

Is there a cut off time if you're doing the 100 mile routes?

[ny biker]

Is there a cut off time if you're doing the 100 mile routes?

Yes there is, at least in Philadelphia. If you don't reach the turnoff for the 70-milers by a certain time, they direct you to follow the 70-mile route instead of going the full 100. I think the cutoff this year was 11:00 am. The official ride start is 7:30 am although they always start late so in practice we roll closer to 8:00.

Which means you can start off planning to do 100 and still get a good ride in at a shorter distance if your pace is not fast enough.

I think in general they wanted everyone finished in 8 hours. Any riders who are not able to meet that cutoff are picked up by a SAG wagon and dropped off at a point near the finish so they can ride across the finish line.

You can also choose the 100 mile distance when you register and then change to a different distance later if necessary.

[tongue_tied]

What kind of a pace are we talking? Over 15? 20? Knowing now will hopefully give me more than ample time to prepare for next year!

[Possegal]

Any riders who are not able to meet that cutoff are picked up by a SAG wagon and dropped off at a point near the finish so they can ride across the finish line.

Some riders are more stubborn than others. My brother in law was like 2 miles from the end and they wanted him to get in the van. He just kept pedaling and ignoring them in 2007. In 2008 we met this guy that was a cancer survivor, he stayed at the same hotel. Afterwards he told us how he was doing the 100 and they were fighting with him to get off the road. He said to us basically, he beat cancer he wasn't letting the course beat him. He told them, here, take my number if you want, but I am not getting in your car.

And in 07, there were people crossing the finish line at least an hour after my brother in law. Though I think they got a little more emphatic with people in the later years.

And yes - it is hilly. But that's all relative, as my Pittsburgh-based family don't find it hilly at all.