Calling all randos...

[Susan Otcenas]

Wow, Susan, good luck! .... It's truly an outstanding accomplishment and takes a special type of person to be in the saddle that long.

Thanks for the well wishes!

I've discovered that I have a talent for being in the saddle for a long time. I'm not the speediest person out there, but I've learned what level I can exert myself at that allows me to just keep going and going. I did a 300K a few weeks ago and felt GREAT when I was done. No saddle issues, no real aches or pains. My neck was a little stiff, but that was about it.

But 600K seems like a whole 'nother ballgame. Would love to hear from others who've successfully gone the distance!

[salsabike]

Susan, maillotpois did a 600 a few years ago and has a wonderful race report on it. It may even be on TE, but for sure she'll respond to a PM about it. I know that because before my husband's first 600 last summer, I asked if she had any tips, and she did---they're right in the race report.

[Susan Otcenas]

Salsa - Thanks for the suggestion. I sent her a PM.

[Tri Girl]

no advice, but HOLY MOLY!!!! I'm so impressed. I can't wait to hear all about it!!! Promise you'll write a report and share it with us?

[Pedal Wench]

Think my first reponse got lost...

I'm one of the crazy randos!

Tips: EAT! You'll need a steady supply of calories, and since you're at controls anyway, why not grab some potato chips?
Be prepared for the chill of night. After being sweaty all day and getting tired, you'll be colder at night than you think you'll be.
LIGHTS! Bring every light you have! Nothing worse than not being able to see, especially on a descent. And try to find someone to ride with at night. Safety in numbers, plus the lights combine to make it easier for everyone to see.

Edit: and bring a helmet light too - I like being able to see what's rustling in the brush next to the road. And, have an easy way to read the cue sheet, and backup if you're using a computer.

[Susan Otcenas]

Think my first reponse got lost...

I'm one of the crazy randos!

Tips: EAT! You'll need a steady supply of calories, and since you're at controls anyway, why not grab some potato chips?
Be prepared for the chill of night. After being sweaty all day and getting tired, you'll be colder at night than you think you'll be.
LIGHTS! Bring every light you have! Nothing worse than not being able to see, especially on a descent. And try to find someone to ride with at night. Safety in numbers, plus the lights combine to make it easier for everyone to see.

Edit: and bring a helmet light too - I like being able to see what's rustling in the brush next to the road. And, have an easy way to read the cue sheet, and backup if you're using a computer.

Food - My longest brevet to date is a 300K (I couldn't do the 400K in the series due to a scheduling conflict.) I definitely stayed on top of my food. I have a bento box and stashed plenty of odwalla & luna bars in there, as well as a bunch of Gu. I prefer real food, but Gu is a great quick shot of energy at certain points. I also carried some bananas & peanut butter banana sandwiches. I also ate at every control (except info controls) and sat down for a real meal at a cafe at around 160km. I have a pretty good idea how much I burn per hour (based on my VO2 max testing) and when I tallied up my consumption at the end of the day, I was really close to my burn estimate, so that was good.

This 600K is completely unsupported except at the overnight control, which will have some snacks. So anything I consume I'll have to bring or buy. On the 300K, I was careful to study the cue sheet ahead of time, so I'd know where I could buy food, and when I'd be in the middle of nowhere so I could be sure to have supplies. I'll do the same for the 600K. Plus, I can send a small bag to the overnight control, so I can "restock" at that point (360K) from my own supply.


Lights - I figure I'll have 2-3 hours of riding in the dark. I think I'll hit the overnight control between 11pm & 12pm. I do plan to sleep there until sun-up and set out again around 5-6 a.m. I know that many of the other riders plan to go straight through, but I don't think I can do that. And fortunately, I usually ride at a pace that should allow me that long of a break without any worries on the time limit. My only time goal for this brevet is to be done before dark on Sunday. With only 240K to cover, that should be no trouble, assuming I'm not completely spent.

I appreciate the suggestion for a helmet light. I usually use bar mount only, but was contemplating how I would best see my cue sheet. Plus, I know for sure that there's a long-ish descent with 10 miles of the overnight control, which I will definitely be doing in the dark. And as you said, a back up is a really good idea. My lights failed on the 24 hour TT I did in September, which left me 3 miles out of town in the pitch darkness. Not fun!!

I suspect I'll be doing this ride mostly solo. There's 17 other people (all men) signed up so far. I recognize many of their names as being much faster than me. I'm no slouch, but I also know that if I try to ride their pace, I'll blow up later. But maybe I'll catch some of them later in the day. That happened on the 300K. I let the boys go at mile 25 at the start of the first big climb, then started passing some of the slower ones at mile 100. Tortoise and the hare.

[Biciclista]

hm, that's the ride my DH just backed out of.
Pay really good attention to any minor irritations. A wrinkle in your shorts early on can result in nasty damage 200 miles later.

Seems like you already figured out; take short breaks... if you're not fast, that's a great equalizer.

Good luck

[Trekhawk]

no advice, but holy moly!!!! I'm so impressed. I can't wait to hear all about it!!! Promise you'll write a report and share it with us?

What tri girl said. I am looking forward to hearing all about it.

[Catrin]

Yes, do let us know how things go! I am interested in eventually trying this. I am not interested in racing, but would like to try my hand at a brevet when I have enough experience to do so.

[sundial]

Susan, no tips to give but I do wish you a great ride and I will be looking forward to your report.

[Pedal Wench]

I've discovered that I have a talent for being in the saddle for a long time. I'm not the speediest person out there, but I've learned what level I can exert myself at that allows me to just keep going and going.

That's me too. Ideally suited for it - can't go fast to save my life, but have a long, long, long ride - sign me up! I should do a report on my first fleche - I think we ate more than we rode!

[jobob]

That's me too. Ideally suited for it - can't go fast to save my life, but have a long, long, long ride - sign me up! I should do a report on my first fleche - I think we ate more than we rode!

Likewize. I plan to start riding brevets again once I have this Death Ride foolishness behind me. Assuming I ever want to get on a bike ever again.

[Susan Otcenas]

I should do a report on my first fleche - I think we ate more than we rode!

Would love to read a report! I believe in riding to eat too.