Stp 2010

[colby]

Looking forward to some race reports - I'm considering doing it next year. I really want to do it, despite it coming in at about 3 weeks after Ironman. I know I'd have to take it easy.

Good luck to everyone doing it!!

[Susan126]

That's me too . . . nervous but also very excited! It will be my first one day stp. I've already done the two day.

Good luck to everyone this Saturday! Tailwinds to all!

[thelawgoddess]

I'll be there on Saturday. First time STP rider. One-day. I just looked at my training log and I've ridden 1,699 miles since March 30th in training for this.

I'm also using this ride to raise awareness and funds for the Wounded Warrior Project.

[kfergos]

I'm not doing it this year, but I did it in 2008 and 2009. Be careful out there, ladies -- there are a lot of inexperienced, unprepared bicyclists out on this ride, and every year people get hurt.

Expect long lines for the port-a-potties.

Oh, and have fun, too! There's nothing like riding with 10,000 other people.

[XMcShiftersonX]

I'll be there on Saturday. First time STP rider. One-day. I just looked at my training log and I've ridden 1,699 miles since March 30th in training for this.

I'm also using this ride to raise awareness and funds for the Wounded Warrior Project.

Sheisse! That's more than I've ridden all year for this (I'm at 1,330 since January!), I think you will be more than ready. Good luck!

[XMcShiftersonX]

Looking forward to some race reports - I'm considering doing it next year. I really want to do it, despite it coming in at about 3 weeks after Ironman. I know I'd have to take it easy.

Good luck to everyone doing it!!

I could be wrong, but I think doing this after an Ironman, esp. if you did the 2 day, would be a piece of cake! It would be like a recovery ride... (haha okay, that may be a little exaggeration. ) Good for you for doing those though, I'm always impressed by people who can do them.

[XMcShiftersonX]

Anyone know what I should expect as far as parking wait times/traffic on Saturday morning? My friends and I plan to start no later than 5:45, so I'll probably want to be parked by 5:20-5:30. I'm coming from Renton and I was planning on leaving the house at 4:30. I know people said parking for Flying Wheels was bad and to expect an hour wait, but when I actually got there I parked within 5 minutes, so either they became more organized, or I was just there early enough. Any advice would be appreciated!

-Jessica

[ZooZoo]

It wasn't too bad last year. Just remember that this year the 45th street viaduct is not open (being demolished, actually) so make sure you print out the directions for alternate routes on the Cascade website.

Anyone know what I should expect as far as parking wait times/traffic on Saturday morning? My friends and I plan to start no later than 5:45, so I'll probably want to be parked by 5:20-5:30. I'm coming from Renton and I was planning on leaving the house at 4:30. I know people said parking for Flying Wheels was bad and to expect an hour wait, but when I actually got there I parked within 5 minutes, so either they became more organized, or I was just there early enough. Any advice would be appreciated!

-Jessica

[MM_QFC!]

Hey Jessica,
They're probably still using the E-1 parking lot and there are folks who camp there on Friday night so, no matter what time you get there, there will be plenty of activity. http://www.cascade.org/EandR/stp/stp_startline.cfm

1-day riders start exiting the parking lot onto Montlake Blvd at 4:45, so if you come along Montlake Blvd after exiting hwy 520, you may well run into back-ups as cyclists cross to Pacific St. There will be tons o' cars with full bike racks inching along at every entrance to the parking lot, so just be patient as when you get in, it's a lot large enough for all, as it shouldn't take long at all to actually park. You may walk a ways to drop off gear bags at the truck (pick the correct truck! look for a sign with your overnight stop name) and porta potties, but it's a fun atmosphere.
The start line area has plenty of music and announcements and riders are released in waves every 10 minutes or so. Take care as you ride south as the start line adrenaline is known to last most of the way to the REI stop at mile 25! People are excited, nervous, squirrelly on their bikes, passing on the right, not holding their line, hitting potholes, rocking down Lake WA blvd, being surprised at the short hill at Seward Park and stalling with lots of riders behind them, getting used to all of the police help in waving them through intersections, so they continue to blow through stop lights and signs on their own...all of the usual stuff to stay clear of!
Have a great time!
Mary