300K Forecast

[betagirl]

Saturday's forecast:

Showers
High 56°F
Precip Chance: 60%
Wind: NW 9 mph
Max. Humidity: 59%
UV Index: 5 Moderate

*sigh. At this point if that doesn't change, I can't bring myself to do 180 miles in the rain after the last Brevet. Tell me I'm not being a wuss

[maillotpois]

I went back and forth on the 600k. Chance of precipitation started at 60/40 (Sat/Sun), and then went down to 30/10.

I originally told myself I wasn't going to do it if it rained, because I didn't really have anything invested in it, and didn't want to be miserable. Then I resigned myself to the fact I wouldprobably do it, and since I was bringing along the kitchen sink anyway, I brought rain pants/booties. Boy was I glad I did! We had a soild hour or two of some of the heaviest rain I have ever ridden in. And then it stopped, and I had something like 200 miles more to ride, and you know what? I dried out.

It may be miserable for some of it, but be prepared (jacket, pants, whatever) and just take a shot at it! If you do, and it does rain, and you stick it out, this will be one of your best "mental toughness" rides ever!

[Lise]

Hmmmm. OK, class, is betagirl a wuss? NO! I say, you do whatever you think you will enjoy; bike riding is not supposed to be torture. L.

[betagirl]

Ok, damnit I'm going to do this ride on Saturday. I'll probably be a popsicle when I'm done, might be slightly delusional, and certainly will need to have my head examined.

Going to the LBS tomorrow to pick up some better rain gear, since all I have is a rain jacket. I suspect if I can stay dry I'll be slightly less miserable.....

What's with this stuff being so dang addictive anyway?

[maillotpois]

Atta girl!!!

Nanci told me "Be prepared for rain and then be pleasantly surprised when it is sunny." (Or something like that.) So that's what I did. Sounds like that's what you're doing, too.

For the record, you would not have been a wuss if you didn't ride in the rain...

[Nanci]

I'll tell you why to do it: because when you're done with the whole series, you will have a very high standard of "bad" told hold up other events to. Like when I did 3-State 3-Mountain and people were whining about 2 miles of 7% grade and a quarter mile of 22%, like it was going to ruin the whole ride for them. Um, you want to do something hard? Just sit on your bike on level ground for 27 hours. Plus, you will not _believe_ your level of fitness when you're done!! 100 mile mountain Century with 9600 feet of elevation gain? It's like it didn't even happen!! Plus, on practically every ride I've done this year, the bad weather predictions have been greatly overestimated. Plus, 180 miles of rain is a thousand times better than 180 miles of wind- look at the bright side! Make sure you do _something_ to keep your feet dry. And put your dry things you carry with you in ziplocks!!! Even putting your feet in plastic bags inside your shoes will help. Duct tape around your ankles? A helmet cover would be an excellent investment if you don't have one. It's great just for keeping warm, too, when it's not raining. I use mine all the time, and it takes up no room at all when I want to take it off.

Good luck- I'll be riding in 85F sunshine for my 200k...Wish I could split the difference with you!

Nanci

[betagirl]

Thanks ladies

I think the key will be staying warm. I froze my arse off on the 200k. I'll be wearing a shell this time, only had arm warmers and a sleeveless base layer on under my jersey. Windbreaker over that. I was overheating a bit before the rain hit. But hey, if it never rains I can always strip at a gas station or something. Good idea on the bags in the shoes. My worst bits were my feet and hands. The rest of my body was numb, but I couldn't really tell until I stopped. I'll try to get some toe covers and some waterproof gloves. I think this time I'll be overprepared, where last time I got caught with my pants down so to speak.

Nanci - try to send some of that sunshine my way, k? Have fun on your ride.

I'm sure the ride report will be nothing but entertaining

[maillotpois]

Oh gosh - second the ziplocks. I had everything except my clean shorts in ziplocks for the 600k. SO the second day I had wet, clean shorts. Brr!

[bikerchick68]

my wettest, coldest ride ever was in Ireland on a self guided bike tour... the very best part of that day? IRISH COFFEE at the end... That made the whole day worth it... I think I had 4... but can't recall 100%

nothing quite like Irish Coffee... I'll be hoping there's some waiting for you at the end if it rains!

[betagirl]

It just keeps getting "better":

http://www.weather.com/outlook/healt...1&from=weekend

Hourly Forecast

6am 42°F
Feels Like 40°F
Showers

9am 46°F
Feels Like 43°F
Showers

12pm 50°F
Feels Like 47°F
Showers

3pm 52°F
Feels Like 49°F
Showers

6pm 53°F
Feels Like 50°F
Showers

9pm 49°F
Feels Like 45°F
Showers

Chance of rain 70%. Wind N at 9.

The ONE good thing is that the wind is a) light and b) will be a tailwind on the way back. So it's just a matter of staying dry. I'm going to need those Irish Coffees. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

[Nanci]

It'll be ok. You only have to do it once. If you have spare gloves, those might be nice to carry in a ziplock. Or, optimally, waterproof gloves.

[betagirl]

I'm heading over to Performance today to get some waterproof gloves and socks/shoe covers. And a new rain jacket. Probably some rain pants. That'll be cheap

I will bring an extra pair of gloves though. And socks. Wet feet are the worst.

[Nanci]

That's pretty cool you can go to a Performance store. I'd be in so much trouble...There's no REI here, either.

Nanci

[KSH]

Betagirl... you are not being a wuss for not wanting to ride 300K in the rain.

You did it once... you don't need to do it again.

Doing a 300K should be a little bit fun... and it won't be in the rain.

Look, you do this for fun... not money from a sponsor... so don't worry about passing.

[DeniseGoldberg]

Do the ride if you really want to - but you shouldn't feel bad about passing on it due to the weather forecast. 50 degrees isn't that warm, and add rain to that for what could be miserable riding conditions. I've ridden in the cold rain before, and if I have a choice I won't ride in those conditions. (Yes, you're right, I must be a real baby!).

You should view any decision you make - to ride or not to ride - as the right thing for you. Doesn't matter what anyone else thinks...

--- Denise