Advice for a long event

[indysteel]

Velo, you rock. One hundred and thirty solo miles with a 16+ mpg average is awesome. You have RAIN in the bag.

[velo]

I hope so, Indy. Thanks! I think I'm going to be about as prepared as I can without quitting my p/t job and neglecting my family.

[Susan Otcenas]

You have RAIN in the bag.

I agree with Indy. Looks like you are very very well prepared for this event. Sounds like you are doing everything right, practicing your event day strategies, and listening to the very sage advice provided here. All that's left to do is to stay healthy, then enjoy the event!!

As for me, the Alaska Solstice 600K was freakin' AWESOME. I haven't written a ride report yet, but I've put up a ton of photos in a public album on my facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/susan.otcen...5691132&type=1 Photos never really do it justice, though. The ride organizer got some great shots as well. I love this one of me, riding along the still partially frozen Summit Lake https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=3&theater The ride is super remote, with vast stretches with ZERO services. You really need to be self sufficient. I carried lots of food and 3 bottles at all times, plus all my repair gear, warm clothes, etc. If you want to see the route, I uploaded my ride segments to Strava, here. http://app.strava.com/athletes/870991 We lucked out with incredible weather, warm days, not too cold at night, and a rippin' tailwind for part of the first day. I had no mechanicals, got nearly 4 hours sleep at the overnight control at 400K, and recorded my best ever 600K finish by over 2 hours. (finished 600K - 372 miles -in 34:50). Having 24 hours of daylight certainly helped, as I usually slow down in the dark, which wasn't an issue here. All in all, an incredible weekend.

[OakLeaf]

Looks amazing, Susan! So glad it went well and that you weren't affected by the heat. I ran just 8 miles yesterday in 90° and it was brutal, and I'm probably better acclimated than you are in the PNW.

[velo]

Susan, that is just... amazing. You rode 370 miles in less than 26 hours saddle time, climbed 11,500+ feet, and did it all on 4 hours of sleep. Wow! The pictures are amazing. I'm intrigued by the lack of "night" and how it affected you. On long days on the bike, I feel that sun sinking and it has a mental effect. With the sun always there... interesting. Anyway, my effort seems small compared, but we each have our hills to climb and I'm still getting ready for mine. I hope I'm as successful with mine as you were yours. Congratulations on a really wonderful brevet.