Willamette Headwaters 600K Ride Report

**Susan Otcenas** · 08-30-2010, 09:05 PM

The nitty gritty:

375 miles
~21,500 feet
37hr 46m elapsed
29hr 33m moving
9.9 avg speed elapsed
12.7 avg speed moving
1hr 45m "sleeping"
3hr 15m at overnight control
max speed 37mph
min speed 3.4 (sustained for a shockingly long period of time on Straight Creek Rd. at mile 302...and 303....and 304.... Should be renamed "Straight Uphill Road"
0 flats

The aftermath:
Two sore achilles tendons
One AWOL pinky finger

**OakLeaf** · 08-31-2010, 02:46 AM

Holy !@#$ Susan. Way to go!

**jobob** · 08-31-2010, 04:16 AM

Awesome.

**Jaclyn** · 08-31-2010, 05:00 AM

Great ride report, and congratulations on completing your second 600k. We had a similar experience on our first 600k this year. A friend recommended the Louisville Kentucky 600k. There was some surprise when we arrived (turns out it wasn't because we were strangers, but because we were on a tandem).

Our stats were 363 miles, 22,354 elevation gain, 38:24:02 elapsed time, 33:43 moving time, average speed 11.5 mph.

My captain had a difficult time convincing me to get back out after the overnight control for the final 200k ... it was only the thought of having to do another 600k which convinced me that finishing the 200k was the better alternative.

It was all worth it for the feeling afterwards that we had met the challenge.

Are you planning to enter the lottery to do Paris-Brest-Paris next year? That is our plan - hope to meet you there.

PS The friend - he did the St Louis 600k which had one-tenth the climbing at only 2,500 elevation gain.

**Crankin** · 08-31-2010, 05:28 AM

Again, I will say:
I must have the wimp gene.

Congratulations!

**spindizzy** · 08-31-2010, 06:27 AM

"Randondesia" *giggle* My stomach lurches at the thought of what you did. Unbelievable! Your "friend" is a sadist - but apparently you like the pain!
Nice work!

**Susan Otcenas** · 08-31-2010, 07:43 AM

Originally Posted by Jaclyn

Are you planning to enter the lottery to do Paris-Brest-Paris next year? That is our plan - hope to meet you there.

PS The friend - he did the St Louis 600k which had one-tenth the climbing at only 2,500 elevation gain.

Yes, I'm planning to do PBP. As understand it though, it's not a lottery. Pre-registration priority is given to riders who have completed at least a 600K this year, with an even earlier deadline for those having completed a 1000 or 1200 this year. Last to be able to pre-register will be those who rode anything less than a 600.

My 1st 600 had ~9000 feet. I can't imagine doing one with only 2500 feet. That would be boring, I think. Pedaling along flat roads for hours on end...ugh.

**maillotpois** · 08-31-2010, 08:50 AM

Well done! I have some randonesia setting in as well....

**Susan Otcenas** · 08-31-2010, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by maillotpois

Well done! I have some randonesia setting in as well....

Hey MP, looking to do another 600K? Or PBP?

Susan

**Jaclyn** · 09-02-2010, 05:50 AM

Originally Posted by Susan Otcenas

As understand it though, it's not a lottery. Pre-registration priority is given to riders who have completed at least a 600K this year, with an even earlier deadline for those having completed a 1000 or 1200 this year.

Susan, you are correct. They will register the 1000km riders first, followed a week later by the 600k finishers. The lottery will be for the remaining spaces based on a quota for US participants. And, we still need to qualify by completing the 200, 300, 400, and 600k series next year by June. Fortunately, all of the rando clubs are adding rides and scheduling rides earlier for 2011.

The Ohio club members have been wonderful about giving us newcomers tips and advice. We are lucky that they share their wisdom. They feel we should start with the 84 hour group - have you given this any thought yet?

**Catrin** · 09-02-2010, 07:24 AM

Originally Posted by Jaclyn

Susan, you are correct. They will register the 1000km riders first, followed a week later by the 600k finishers. The lottery will be for the remaining spaces based on a quota for US participants. And, we still need to qualify by completing the 200, 300, 400, and 600k series next year by June. Fortunately, all of the rando clubs are adding rides and scheduling rides earlier for 2011.

The Ohio club members have been wonderful about giving us newcomers tips and advice. We are lucky that they share their wisdom. They feel we should start with the 84 hour group - have you given this any thought yet?

Sorry for the hijack...

I just joined the Ohio club as Indiana doesn't have one. Any chance that you will do the Oct 16 200k brevet? I am a brevet virgin - at least until then

/end hijack

**sundial** · 09-05-2010, 03:44 PM

Originally Posted by Susan Otcenas

I can't imagine doing one with only 2500 feet. That would be boring, I think. Pedaling along flat roads for hours on end...ugh.

In my area I can climb 2500 ft. over a distance of 20 miles. Not too bad for a state with the highest peak of 2753. And as for the flat roads....guess you won't be signing up for the Dirty Kanza 200.

**katluvr** · 08-31-2010, 04:26 PM

Originally Posted by OakLeaf

Holy !@#$ Susan. Way to go!

DITTO! can't think of anything more to say...other than pure amazement!
K

**Trekhawk** · 08-31-2010, 04:39 PM

WOW!
Well done Susan, my legs feel tired just thinking about that ride.

**Tri Girl** · 08-31-2010, 04:49 PM

I just honestly cannot imagine the pain/fatigue that sets in on a ride like that... you are INCREDIBLE!!!!!

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