I’ve a couple of speed targets for the various brevets this year. These were created by the Cyclos Montagnards group as a series of speed awards for those who are motivated by trying to go faster on these longer rides, http://www.cyclosmontagnards.org/R80Rules.html.
The R80 award seems very doable and the R70 as a stretch goal (I have ridden both a 200k and 400k at R70 pace in the past). The main issue is the 600k as I don’t think I can have a sleep break and achieve the necessary times.
The R80 honor requires completion of a brevet series (200, 300, 400 and 600 km) with each brevet completed in 80% or less of the maximum allowed time limit. The R70 and R60 honors are for those who complete the brevets in 70% or 60% of the allowed time, respectively.
I’ll be riding the inaugural running of a new 1200k bike ride in Colorado in July this year.
Here are a few of the challenges that the organizer has shared about this ride. I think the altitude will be the most “interesting” one based on my experiences living at 6000 ft in Nairobi and 8000 ft in Thimphu and the debilitating impact it can have on you when you first reach that altitude. I need to work out how far in advance I should arrive before the event starts to acclimatize sufficiently.
That said the altitude training should make me that much stronger for PBP in August. At least that’s the theory…
CHALLENGES RESERVED FOR OTHER EVENTS (what you won’t be facing!):
Steep Grades
Technical Turns
Complex Routefinding
Congested Areas
Crowds of Riders
Humidity
Insects
Poisonous Animals
I mention these topics – and others, such as cattle guards – on the Rider Info page, but here are a few more gratuitous thoughts:
Altitude – You’ll top out above 10,000 ft. three times on the route, and sleep near 9,000 ft. the final night. This verges on being “at altitude” as they say here, and does have its effect, even for folks who live here on the Plains (at 5,000 ft.). What effect?? I’ll discuss this more in a separate post, since a number of you have asked.
Wind – Canyons can channel wind. The open high-country areas (“parks” in Colorado terminology) have few trees so wind can have its way there, too. A good reason to practice those social skills and cultivate riding partners early on?
Extended Climbs – Those “endless rollers” where you may come from may seem tough (and are!), but you at least get a break every mile or two. The one, or two, or three-hour climbs on this ride can grind a rider down. Take this into account. Take a stretch break; hydration break; chat break; whatever, if you need it.
Temperature Range – Although it’s a “dry cold” and “dry heat” here because of the low humidity, you may need to carry more layering – for chillier parts of the day – than you might otherwise in a more humid climate. Have a look at the statistical low and high temps on the Rider Info page.
Chilly Precipitation – Summer showers in the mountains can be cold, not a tropical shower. You should be fine if you have the right outerwear, are smart, and don your gear in a timely fashion.
Hydration – An arid climate + wind = lots of potential moisture loss. It’s the same old advice: you won’t know you’re dehydrated in a cool, dry climate until it’s become a big problem. So keep ahead of the game. I’ll have a post about hydration-challenging segments later on.
Wildlife – Each region has wildlife considerations. Much of the High Country route passes through sparsely-populated areas: National Forests and National Wildlife Areas, where wildlife flourish. Be mindful of moose, which are large and can be aggressive, and general wildlife on the roads in the pre-dawn and post-dawn hours (coyotes, deer, etc.)
Ashley and I decided during the week to take part in the annual Chilly Hilly bike ride around Bainbridge Island this year. Last year saw over 6000 participants take part but a forecast of the coldest, wettest conditions in many years led to a lower turnout this year (~3500). The ride lived up to it’s name with many hills, strong winds, snow and rain to make for an epic ride.
We left the house at 8:30 am to catch the 9:35 ferry to the island. We’d planned out our layering strategy to stay warm the previous night and Ashley was well protected (though our protection of her extremities needed revision as the ride progressed .. more on that later).
Everyone was up to see us off though our farewell comittee quickly retreated back into the warmth of the house as we biked off.
Heading Off
A strong head wind was blowing in our face as we rode the 7 miles to the ferry and Ashley’s hands got pretty cold through her gloves so I gave her my wool ones as a second layer which did the trick for her but left me with chilly fingers later in the ride once it started snowing! I ended up taking her original pair later to give my fingers a bit of protection.
Once we got to the ferry we quickly registered and lined up for the 9:35 ferry.
Waiting for the ferryOn the ferry
Once we reached Bainbridge we rode off with our 1000 riding partners and started on the loop around the island. It was great for Ashley to see various other kids her age on tandems, tag alongs and even their own bikes. We saw one triple as well set up for two kids.
The ride was great with a nice tailwind initially and we powered up the hills (past all the people walking the steeper ones). A lot of friendly people cheered Ashley on as everyone was out for a fun day out. The conditions deteriorated a bit as we got to the first official rest stop at Mile 15 or so and it started to snow.
15 miles in as the snow starts to come down
I drew on my Randonneuring experience and moved us out of the wind and snow into a heated toilet nearby for Ashley to warm up a bit with some hot chocolate 🙂
Inside and happy with her hot chocolate
Then it was back out into the elements and onto the hot cider stop at Mile 20. Ashley’s feet were getting cold at this stage as they got wetter so we decided at the next stop to take the handy shortcut back to the finish and cut off about 10 miles. I used a couple sandwich bags over her socks to keep the wind chill down and that helped.
We got back to the finish and rushed down to catch the ferry which was just leaving. Then it was 7 miles back to the house and a nice hot bath to remove the chill. We had a great time! A fine introduction for Ashley to riding longer group rides in tough conditions.
Back home after a nice hot bath
All told we rode 35.5 miles (Ashley longest ride to date by about 30 miles…)
So 2010 is coming to an end and with it my biggest mileage year to date. A grand total of 5176 miles, just pipping 2007 which was my first year of active randonneuring.
2011 brings with it another PBP year and roughly 5000 miles of official SIR rando rides possible (that’s on top of commuting and any other club rides I choose to do). Suffice to say I won’t be doing all of those rides but it does present an nice selection of options in the year ahead.
Official Randonneuring Results for 2010
MCKEE, James | Seattle International Randonneurs | 947018
I drove down to Mount Rainier on Saturday morning for the chance to climb up to Paradise along Steven’s Canyon Road. It was raining on the way down and driving over Cayuse there was practically zero visibility in the low fog. I actually overshot the turn and had to drive up to Chinook before I could turn around. It was looking a bit hairy for the ride up to Paradise if similar conditions prevailed.
Thankfully they didn’t! The cloud cover started to burn off and we had ideal riding conditions heading up to Paradise. Some sun but not overly hot. The only downside was that Rainier itself was obscured by cloud for the whole time so we didn’t get the stunning views of it that are potentially available.
There were 4 of us in total; Marcel, Rosemarie, Annie and me. I’d decided I would stop and take more photos along the way this ride as I had no time constraints to get to the next control which are always prevalent on my randonneuring rides. It’s a nice steady climb with plenty of spots to stop and admire the views.
We climbed at our own paces regrouping periodically and stopped for a bite to eat at the top before descending back to the cars. My bike worked well and the new wheels and tires rolled well going down hill. I had plenty of opportunity to practice hopping my bike over the numerous grates in the road as I headed down at 35+ mph.
My bike configured for climbing (i.e. lighter)On the road up to ParadiseOne of the various scenic pull outsMarcel, Rosemarie, James, AnnieAt ParadiseWaterfall on the way downRiver canyonOne more stopBack at the cars
