LRRH Altitude?

[tprevost]

I was reading somewhere a comment about this ride being at altitude... something I never even thought about. But since it will be my first century and I will be pushing my boundaries a bit in the first place, I thought it might be wise to at least know if that will be an issue at all.... SadieKate... anyone????

Any info/insight for us lowlanders would be greatly appreciated!

Tracy

[Lifesgreat]

Howdy!

Logan is about 4500 feet and would guess the ride varies between 4400 and 5000 feet.

[Trekhawk]

I was reading somewhere a comment about this ride being at altitude... something I never even thought about. But since it will be my first century and I will be pushing my boundaries a bit in the first place, I thought it might be wise to at least know if that will be an issue at all.... SadieKate... anyone????

Any info/insight for us lowlanders would be greatly appreciated!

Tracy

Hey Tracy I asked about this when I was thinking of doing the Tahoe Century and the girls said it shouldnt be a problem. I think Tahoe was at slighter higher altitude.

I figure Im already at 2500 so that should help and going as slow as I do I have plenty of time to suck in what oxygen is available.

[tprevost]

Hey Trekhawk,

I thought about you when I was typin'! BUT, I'm much closer to sea level and I'm willing to bet it will affect me . I've got a good friend who has a cabin up in the mountains and I'm thinking I might spend some time up there if it will help! I'll have to do some reading You are high enough that you're okay... I'm just a wimp!

Trac'

[cindysue]

Logan is about 4500 feet and would guess the ride varies between 4400 and 5000 feet.

hmmm, good to know. Thanks!

[Trekhawk]

Hey Trekhawk,

I thought about you when I was typin'! BUT, I'm much closer to sea level and I'm willing to bet it will affect me . I've got a good friend who has a cabin up in the mountains and I'm thinking I might spend some time up there if it will help! I'll have to do some reading You are high enough that you're okay... I'm just a wimp!

Trac'

Somebody on TE (sorry cant remember who) said it was best if going to a ride at altitude to get there either 3 weeks before to acclimatize or just before the ride before it has a chance to start really affecting you. Im sure someone here at TE knows more about this stuff but Im thinking three weeks before might be a bit much time for most of us to spare.

[tprevost]

I don't think my DH will let me get away with the three week lead time thing! My friends have a cabin up in Idyllwild though and I thought maybe I could head up there and do a few rides. If nothing else, I'll get an idea of how it will affect me. I'm not too worried (maybe that is naive) but I'm thinking maybe I should do a bit of anaerobic work to compensate???

I'd love to hear from SK on this one... she seems to be 'up' on this kind of stuff!

Thanks!

Tracy

[Trekhawk]

Mate SK is away on a MTB holiday. I dont think she had any problems riding LRRH last year and she lives at a pretty low elevation. I wouldnt worry too much about it Im sure you will be fine. Just make sure you have enough spare energy to give a friend a tow if required.

[tprevost]

Hey Trekhawk,

I was counting on you for the tow!

Tracy

ps. thanks for reminding me about SK's trip, I'd forgotten all about it!

[bikerHen]

Hey Trekhawk,

I was counting on you for the tow!

Tracy!

You two figure out who is going to tow who . . . then I'll slip in behind you both for a double tow.

How slow can you go and still be drafting? BikerHen

[RoadRaven]

At altitude there is less oxygen, therefore, if all your training is at low altitude/sea level, you will probably find that altitude will affect your performance adversely.

Think about lots of elite atheletes (from rugby to cycling) who train at altitude or arrive for a competition some time before it starts to get used to altitude (like Trek says).

Conversely, if you train at altitude, you will find your performance will probably improve when you drop towards sea level...

Good luck, tprevost

[SadieKate]

Yeah, you'll feel the altitude but just a tiny wee smidge and only when you sprint or climb hills. Since there are no hills except a few minor blips crossing the Logan River, you should have no problemos. Of course, if you feel the need to drop the hammer, the pain is all your own fault.

The MTB trip Yellow, V and I just finished was a bit higher elevation with those afore-mentioned 20 degree inclines on loose dirt and knobby tires, and nobody died, so we all should be just fine on flat pavement.

Unless you arrive several months ahead of time, 3 days will give you the max acclimation you can expect. At only 5,000 ft and flat, it's not really that necessary unless you plan on that sprint.

[tprevost]

"only when you sprint or climb hills"

what is that? I do feel better though, after reading the responses. I think I will plan on starting out more slowly (if such a thing is possible) and increasing pace as I feel comfortable and get closer to the finish.

Thanks for your reasurance! I didn't want to spend all the effort to get up there only to fall apart due to the altitude!

T~

[tprevost]

bikerhen - I don't think you can draft as slow as I go! How's the training going?

RoadRaven - thanks for the additional info and the wishes of luck! I'll take some extra luck on the 3rd of June, please

SK - thanks for your reply, I always appreciate your infinite wisdom!

I'm truly hoping that doing a century isn't nearly as daunting as I'm making it out to be in my mind. I do that sometimes for things that are the "unknown".

Tracy

[SadieKate]

Truly, the best thing for both altitude and the dry climate is drink lots of water and take advantage of every elephant. If you can pass one without stopping, you aren't drinking enough. This is a great first century. Don't obsess, just get out and ride.