cool breeze - august 19th

[tprevost]

Hey Vicvroom!

Glad you'll be coming along too!!!! Congrats on your first Century at CTC, that was a tough one too! Great Job!!!

We'll look forward to meeting you!

Tracy

[bcipam]

Okay, okay, I've gotta make a disclaimer here... there is NO way I'm committing to an average 15mph pace for 100 miles. I don't want the pressure of holding anyone up on the ride, it will completely ruin my first century. I may decide to keep w/my plan to leave as early as possible and let everyone catch up to me and perhaps then, after I'm warmed up, I'll try to keep up.

We'll see though, depending on how things go between now and then! AND, Pam, see... I knew you could go really slow with those grannies you have! AND, 55mph is just plain crazy woman! I would be scared outa my mind!!! 'specially since I'm part of the white knuckle club!

T~

ps. and IndyGal! Glad you're coming, looking forward to meeting you!

Tracy:

Stop stressing. Let's just start out all together. Just trust this seasoned veteran - you will easily do about 15/mph on the ride (no one is asking for a commitment) but its not a question of anyone holding up anyone. We ride together but that doesn't mean we stay in a little group all the time. You and Brandy are going rush pass me on hills but I'll catch you going down (might even pass you!). We can regroup at the sag stops if someone gets out ahead or lags back. We can talk more about this on July 1st.

Bottom line it is so much better to do a century (especially a first time one) with a group. I did my first alone (no friends - just all the other riders I didn't know) and that sucked. Start with us (at least Wayne and I) at 7. Trust me the extra 1/2 hour is not going to make up that much difference. The encouragement we are all going to give us other is going to be worth it. Basically Wayne and I signed up for the ride to help you all through it. Plus I need some encouragement as well as this will be my first big ride after my surgery.

and to everyone - I know how scary a first time century can be - been there done that - I know. In fact I stress about most centuries. Until you start riding you have no clue what's going to happen. There is a plus on this ride. The first 20 miles all the rides go together to the Bates Rd. sag stop. If at that point you are feeling poorly, can't warm up, just chicken out, you can elect to do the metric or turn back and do 40.

Another plus with riding in a small group - along the coast you will encounter headwinds. pacelining will help conserve energy against the wind. We can talk about pacelining on the 1st as well.

[Brandy]

Okay...I'm trying to put together a rough training schedule and I was wondering what I should shoot for as a longest ride before Cool Breeze. Any ideas? So far my longest ride has been 42.5 miles.

[tprevost]

Brandy,

Given the shape you are already in... I'd say if you can ride 40-50 miles a couple of times in the same week that'll give you a good base. I'd be doing at least 80-100 miles a week with one long ride for at least several weeks ahead of the ride and you'll be just fine!!! Plus a few hilly rides just so you get the hang of the granny gear (cause you can't power up the hills that are several miles long all the time! )

I'm working on base still but will be doing mostly 25-50 milers with a metric and a 70 miler thown in. I'm still slow as molasses though!!!

Trac'

ps. You'll probably get some better advise from some of the riders that have more experience but you are already really strong and probably just need to learn how to pace yourself for that distance!

[bcipam]

Okay...I'm trying to put together a rough training schedule and I was wondering what I should shoot for as a longest ride before Cool Breeze. Any ideas? So far my longest ride has been 42.5 miles.

A metric to 75 miles is good. Just work on a good base. Remember a week or two before the ride you need to tamper off. I would not ride after the weekend or Monday before the Ccentury. Just stretch or go on slow, short rides. Definitely nothing after Wed. Two weekends before is a good time to do your longest ride. I always figure if I can do a metric without problem I can struggle through a century.

[Brandy]

Thanks for the advice ladies!

[Brandy]

A metric to 75 miles is good. Just work on a good base. Remember a week or two before the ride you need to tamper off. I would not ride after the weekend or Monday before the Ccentury. Just stretch or go on slow, short rides. Definitely nothing after Wed. Two weekends before is a good time to do your longest ride. I always figure if I can do a metric without problem I can struggle through a century.

Should we plan a group metric century to 75 miles with hills for August 5th then? That would put us two weeks prior to Cool Breeze.

[tprevost]

Any chance of moving that metric ride up a weekend (we're camping on the 4th-6th)???

T~

[Brandy]

Any chance of moving that metric ride up a weekend (we're camping on the 4th-6th)???

T~

That's fine with me.

[bcipam]

Can we do it on a Sunday so I can join you???

[tprevost]

maybe July 30th???

[Brandy]

maybe July 30th???

Sounds good to me, I'll save the date in my calendar.

[Brandy]

You would have been so proud of me. No white knuckling it down the hills today!

[tprevost]

Whooo Hooo!!!! Great Job Brandy!!! Was it a good ride? I haven't been on my bike since Saturday and it doesn't look like I'm going to get on it until this coming saturday I've just got to stop eating! UGH!

T~

[Brandy]

It was a good ride! Tiff and I got over lots of fears this morning...hills, traffic, riding with no bike lanes, taking the left turn lane and riding on PCH!