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Congrats!
Rodriguez Adventure
Bacchetta Bellandare
HPV Gekko fx
Custom Rodriguez Tandem
2009 Specialized Tricross
2012 Trek Mamba
So.... STP is sold out--did everyone sign up who wanted to?
Here's to reasonable temperatures and a tailwind the whole way!
I am riding STP this year. Flying in from Los Angeles Friday, riding it in one day with some other friends who do this almost every year. I did it in 2012 but in two days. This will be my very first double. Hope to see you all on the road!
ACG, wishing you a great ride! It's easier in one day than two. It really is.
Have a great ride ACG! and everyone else. I'm relegated to the cheering section this year. Maybe I'll high five you at the finish line. Sigh.
Rodriguez Adventure
Bacchetta Bellandare
HPV Gekko fx
Custom Rodriguez Tandem
2009 Specialized Tricross
2012 Trek Mamba
I'm getting excited for STP--fingers crossed, the weather looks like it will be pretty nice, cooler than the heatwave we've been having, and also cooler than last year's scorcher! I hope everyone has a great ride
Not doing the STP but does anyone have thoughts re a pre ride TE dinner ?
Fancy Schmancy Custom Road bike ~ Mondonico Futura Legero
Found on side of the road bike ~ Motobecane Mixte
Gravel bike ~ Salsa Vaya
Favorite bike ~ Soma Buena Vista mixte
Folder ~ Brompton
N+1 ~ My seat on the Rover recumbent tandem
https://www.instagram.com/pugsley_adventuredog/
Fun idea, but we already have plans with a friend that evening
Fyi, if you see two people dressed like this, say hi--it's probably us! We're going to test the theory that if we're in the same jersey, people won't as often try to steal my wheel from my husband, or his wheel from me. (Not like you're getting a huge prize by drafting us anyway, you're way better off drafting our 6' tall, broad-shouldered friend...)
Ride safe and happy, STP people!
Getting ready and a bit nervous! The butterflies hit all at once!
2011 Specialized Ruby Comp
2015 Giant Liv Tempt 3
I hope everybody had a good ride! Ours went really well, overall. Even though we had a headwind instead of the usual tailwind, I was so happy with the weather this year--I think cloudy and comfortably cool is my power weather...
I really enjoyed the new route through Joint Base Lewis McChord--I hope that becomes established tradition. Twelve miles of traffic-free roads, instead of angry drivers. Yes please! (As a return to reality, soon after we emerged from the base onto Highway 507, a pickup went by, flying a large Confederate flag, and rolling coal.)
This year seemed to have less sketchy riding than years past--maybe it was just the little bubble that I was in, but whatever it was, it worked for me. There was a woman in the first few miles--when we're 6+ across the road--complaining "you're supposed to call out 'on your left' when you pass"--given that anyone on her left was also on someone's right, I'm not sure how she thought calling out would do anything other than confuse things. But for the most part, people seemed to be attentive, aware, and not taking silly risks
At any rate, for the most part we were able to avoid scary group riding, but were able to hook up with some nice strong pacelines, or just go on our own, and it was probably the least-stress STP I've had. And no mechanicals!
This year really highlighted for me the different kinds of fitness involved in bicycling. I don't have as many long rides this year, but I have been pushing it on the rides I do, both on my commute and on some of the hilly/mountain rides I've managed to get in. I could feel the lack of longer rides in my neck and wrists, and my lower back protested a few times, but on the other hand, I felt way stronger overall. There are a couple places that are always low points for me, and they were again, but there were some other spots where I felt the best I ever have on STP. I felt fast, and strong, and that was really fun!
I'm looking forward to next year!
khg....Thanks for the report I was hoping you and the others here that did it had a good ride….sounds like you did.
Two stretches on the bike that really help me on a long ride are a core and back stretch where I sit upright with my back straight. I take my left hand off bar and reach around behind me (to the left) in a twisting motion. I rest my left hand on my right hip and hold. Then I repeat with the right arm and twisting to the right. Obviously since I’m facing backward for a bit I have to be careful when/where I do it. For my wrist/forearm I bend my hand back as far as possible rotating my wrist back and forth.
‘The negative feelings we all have can be addictive…just as the positive…it’s up to
us to decide which ones we want to choose and feed”… Pema Chodron