Yesterday, Sunday 21 June. Summer Solstice. The longest day of this year. A group of tourists-in-training left for a 65 mile test ride. Friends, it was warm out there!
Important Disclaimer: I was the dragging anchor on this ride.
It can't be said often enough, “Ride long enough, and everything happens to you. Good or bad.” It’s a truth. We don’t always have our best days. Sooner or later we all get to take a turn carrying the lanterne rouge. Honestly I wasn’t in my very best shape before the ride started. I’d allowed myself to become pretty fatigued in the past couple of weeks. And then there was the sunscreen!
Those of you who know me, know I am a firm believer in sunscreen. Yet here is a case where I was brought low by that very item. Specifically, it was Kroger, store brand, “Sunscreen 50 spf.” It says on the bottle, “Very Water Resistant.” Of course on the back, under warnings, it says, “Keep out of eyes. Rinse with water to remove.”
I applied the stuff liberally, which is my usual practice. Then, almost as soon as we started to ride, certainly as soon as I started to get a bit heated, the gunk melted and ran into my eyes. I was almost instantly fighting “sweat blindness.” It stung. That was only the beginning. It stung a lot. I dowsed my face with water. Things improved a bit, and then got a lot worse.
I ended up with a terrific case of chemically induced conjunctivitis. That’s a fancy way of saying “pink eye.” It’s an extremely painful irritation of the outer layer of the eye, and the inner layer of the eyelid. Worse, this triggers a huge case of “faucet nose.” So there I am, almost blind, and barely able to breath. Not my best day on the bike.
I really need to commend my friends and fellow riders. They were patient and courteous to a high degree.
So what else happened on the ride? Read on.
Present were Chris, Ray, Ed, Ryan, Cindy, and me.
Chris had to modify her participation. She’s a doctor, and was on call. She couldn’t risk being out of range of the beeper. So she rode with us to Palmetto, then turned back, rode to the shop, then back tracked our route to meet us in Fairburn and do the final leg back in with us. Now that’s dedication.
Ray, wisely, chose the better part of valor. I have to commend him for his mental toughness, and his wisdom. Ray has had some medical issues. He’s recovering from them wonderfully. But he is only lately back on the bike after a long hiatus. He decided to throw in the towel as we were heading down the South Fulton Scenic Highway. That was a good decision, Ray. The hardest part of the ride was ahead, and you lived to ride another day.
Dear friends, let me tell you, it was hot out there. The Weather Service Office in PTC recorded a high of 94. It’s always a good 5 to 7 degrees warmer out on the road. This is particularly true of fully exposed, unshaded roadways.
Likely the most challenging part of this ride was the stretch including the three mile long “forever climb” from the Chattahoochee up to GA-166, and the nine mile set of big rollers along GA-166 up to GA-92. These roads are fully exposed, unshaded, and we hit them during the hottest part of the day. Hard work indeed.
Ryan summed it up very well, when he said, “Any of us who have completed this ride are now hot weather certified for 2009.” Absolutely!
And on that note, one of our member voiced a concern at the end of the ride. Quote, “After this, I’m not sure I can do anything more.”
That’s a valid sentiment. Let me assure, you can. This ride was deliberately set over very challenging terrain, and timed to put us on the most challenging part of the route, during the hottest part of the day. If you can do this, and have anything left, you will be able to handle the Cheaha Two Day. Remember, we'll be starting much earlier in the day. We'll get the bulk of the riding done before the heat really comes on.
The Numbers: (Note: We were all carrying our full Cheaha load, plus a little “training bonus.”)
Distance: 66.2 miles
Ride Time: 5:33:46
Overall Time: 6:20:00 (most of the stoppage caused by me clearing my eyes)
Rolling Average: 11.9 mph
Great job, group! Bravo!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Tour Test Ride: Outlook
The forecast for Sunday is favorable. It looks to be a sunny day, with a high around 90 degrees F. Very low rain chance.
Naturally, on a warm Spring day in North Georgia, pop-up T-showers are always a possibility. I’d recommend packing a rain jacket. (That should be part of your kit anyway.) I’d also strongly recommend applying sunscreen liberally before the ride, and planning to re-apply as the day goes on.
It will be warm, so do bring at least two, if not three water bottles. Plan to pay close attention to hydration. Drink regularly.
While on the topic of warm weather, here’s a very good tip. One item in your travelling kit should be a bandana. These things are incredibly useful. They make a good emergency first aid dressing. They can be used as a washcloth in a pinch. Your bandana can help you stay cool too. Dribble some water on your bandana and then tie it loosely around your neck. As you ride the water evaporates and cools you nicely.
One water bottle should be used for dowsing. If you are getting hot, the equivalent of a half mouthful of water, squirted through the front vents of your helmet will work wonders. If you do this every ten minutes or so, you will stay refreshed, and your “dowsing bottle” will last you for about 20 miles.
Sunglasses are worth their slight weight. Shielding your eyes on a bright sunny day reduces fatigue.
Pre-hydrate. You should need to visit the restroom just before you ride. After that, it will become increasingly more difficult to stay up with your hydration needs. So don’t start out dry.
Fuel well. Have a good breakfast, and a good strong snack before you ride. You’ll need the fuel. A quick snack at the 15 mile stop will help you, and we’ll make a longer stop at the 40 mile point. Plan to eat more then. That will get you home.
I’ll be sending out an email later today, with a copy of the cue sheet for this ride. If you are not on my list, and you want this copy, please email me at The.Road.Dragon@gmail.com and I’ll send you a copy. I will also have a few copies available at the start of the ride.
One last note: I’ve had several questions along the lines of, “I don’t plan to do the tour. Can I come along on the ‘Test Ride’?” I’d say the answer is a definite yes. Just remember this. Those of us who are practicing and training for Cheaha will be riding heavy bikes. We won’t be setting a blistering pace, and we won’t be looking for folks to “push” the pace up faster than we need to go. If you’re good with a relaxed pace ride, and want to be good company, come on along.
I’m looking forward to this ride. It’s another big step toward an exciting adventure. Can’t wait for the start. I hope to see a lot of you out there.
Naturally, on a warm Spring day in North Georgia, pop-up T-showers are always a possibility. I’d recommend packing a rain jacket. (That should be part of your kit anyway.) I’d also strongly recommend applying sunscreen liberally before the ride, and planning to re-apply as the day goes on.
It will be warm, so do bring at least two, if not three water bottles. Plan to pay close attention to hydration. Drink regularly.
While on the topic of warm weather, here’s a very good tip. One item in your travelling kit should be a bandana. These things are incredibly useful. They make a good emergency first aid dressing. They can be used as a washcloth in a pinch. Your bandana can help you stay cool too. Dribble some water on your bandana and then tie it loosely around your neck. As you ride the water evaporates and cools you nicely.
One water bottle should be used for dowsing. If you are getting hot, the equivalent of a half mouthful of water, squirted through the front vents of your helmet will work wonders. If you do this every ten minutes or so, you will stay refreshed, and your “dowsing bottle” will last you for about 20 miles.
Sunglasses are worth their slight weight. Shielding your eyes on a bright sunny day reduces fatigue.
Pre-hydrate. You should need to visit the restroom just before you ride. After that, it will become increasingly more difficult to stay up with your hydration needs. So don’t start out dry.
Fuel well. Have a good breakfast, and a good strong snack before you ride. You’ll need the fuel. A quick snack at the 15 mile stop will help you, and we’ll make a longer stop at the 40 mile point. Plan to eat more then. That will get you home.
I’ll be sending out an email later today, with a copy of the cue sheet for this ride. If you are not on my list, and you want this copy, please email me at The.Road.Dragon@gmail.com and I’ll send you a copy. I will also have a few copies available at the start of the ride.
One last note: I’ve had several questions along the lines of, “I don’t plan to do the tour. Can I come along on the ‘Test Ride’?” I’d say the answer is a definite yes. Just remember this. Those of us who are practicing and training for Cheaha will be riding heavy bikes. We won’t be setting a blistering pace, and we won’t be looking for folks to “push” the pace up faster than we need to go. If you’re good with a relaxed pace ride, and want to be good company, come on along.
I’m looking forward to this ride. It’s another big step toward an exciting adventure. Can’t wait for the start. I hope to see a lot of you out there.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
A Bit More On The Test Rides
The whole idea behind the Tour Test Rides is actually contained in the title. These are opportunities for us to test our packing, our loads, our fitness, and our bikes.
I’ve suggested before that training should be done above the target touring load weight. I stand by that. I recommend that we each be carrying something on the order of 20% to 25% more weight in the pack than we actually intend to carry on the Cheaha Two Day Tour. This is a good way to assess your ability to haul a load over a distance.
Note: Remember, that's 20% to 25% of your load weight ~~ not of your total weight. Big difference!
On the other hand, we should be looking at the intended load, and refining it. Do we really and truly need to carry that three pound vise? Likely not. "War and Peace" is a great book, but it’s heavy, and I doubt even the most dedicated reader among us will have that much spare time. You get the idea.
Seriously. I urge each of us to carry enough to be self sufficient. We intend to stick fairly close together, but things happen. I’ve seen groups break up and get separated. Depending on someone else for the wherewithal to fix that flat would be imprudent.
Yes, I will distribute cue sheets to those who intend to go! Getting lost is pretty much a poor idea.
That brings me to another point. I will have cue sheets available this coming Sunday. I strongly recommend that each rider take one, before we start riding. Then, even if you are following someone else, do your own navigating! Know what turns are coming. Watch your computer to see how soon to expect a direction change. Play it as if you were in foreign country, didn’t speak the language, and had only yourself to depend on for navigation. It’s really good practice.
Back to the heavy bike issue: The Cheaha Tour is the heavy one. After that, we’re going to be somewhat supported for the remainder of the touring I’ll be doing this year. And if you train up for Cheaha, and do it. You will be in great shape for the MS 150 in Pine Mountain, and for the Waynesville, NC Adventure in October.
I don’t know about you, but I’m really looking forward to Sunday, and I’m really looking forward to going to the mountains on 5 July!
I’ve suggested before that training should be done above the target touring load weight. I stand by that. I recommend that we each be carrying something on the order of 20% to 25% more weight in the pack than we actually intend to carry on the Cheaha Two Day Tour. This is a good way to assess your ability to haul a load over a distance.
Note: Remember, that's 20% to 25% of your load weight ~~ not of your total weight. Big difference!
On the other hand, we should be looking at the intended load, and refining it. Do we really and truly need to carry that three pound vise? Likely not. "War and Peace" is a great book, but it’s heavy, and I doubt even the most dedicated reader among us will have that much spare time. You get the idea.
Seriously. I urge each of us to carry enough to be self sufficient. We intend to stick fairly close together, but things happen. I’ve seen groups break up and get separated. Depending on someone else for the wherewithal to fix that flat would be imprudent.
Yes, I will distribute cue sheets to those who intend to go! Getting lost is pretty much a poor idea.
That brings me to another point. I will have cue sheets available this coming Sunday. I strongly recommend that each rider take one, before we start riding. Then, even if you are following someone else, do your own navigating! Know what turns are coming. Watch your computer to see how soon to expect a direction change. Play it as if you were in foreign country, didn’t speak the language, and had only yourself to depend on for navigation. It’s really good practice.
Back to the heavy bike issue: The Cheaha Tour is the heavy one. After that, we’re going to be somewhat supported for the remainder of the touring I’ll be doing this year. And if you train up for Cheaha, and do it. You will be in great shape for the MS 150 in Pine Mountain, and for the Waynesville, NC Adventure in October.
I don’t know about you, but I’m really looking forward to Sunday, and I’m really looking forward to going to the mountains on 5 July!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
65 Mile Touring Test Ride
Date: This coming Sunday. 21 June
Start/Finish: Bicycles Unlimited
Time: 11:00 AM
Distance: 65 miles
Conditions: We’re going!
Pace: A good sustained touring pace, steady and conservative
Requirements: You, your bike (loaded for the Cheaha Tour, if you’re serious), a helmet
Before I go further, I know that this Sunday is “Father’s Day.” There are only so many days in a year, and schedules are simply bound to conflict. This is the day that I can do this. I hope you will make your own decision.
It’s likely to be warm. I suggest bringing plenty of water bottles. We’ll stop at 15 miles, and again at 40 miles to refill and get snacks. Bring some money for munchies and water.
I’d bring a rain jacket along. I’d also strongly suggest sunscreen.
The route, is hilly. That’s why we’re doing it. The idea is to get a feel for how good you are at riding your heavy bike over challenging terrain. Further, the idea is to build the confidence necessary to tackle the Cheaha Two Day Tour.
Remember, 5 July, we’re going to do this in the mountains!!! Cool.
I’m really hoping to see you all out there Sunday.
Start/Finish: Bicycles Unlimited
Time: 11:00 AM
Distance: 65 miles
Conditions: We’re going!
Pace: A good sustained touring pace, steady and conservative
Requirements: You, your bike (loaded for the Cheaha Tour, if you’re serious), a helmet
Before I go further, I know that this Sunday is “Father’s Day.” There are only so many days in a year, and schedules are simply bound to conflict. This is the day that I can do this. I hope you will make your own decision.
It’s likely to be warm. I suggest bringing plenty of water bottles. We’ll stop at 15 miles, and again at 40 miles to refill and get snacks. Bring some money for munchies and water.
I’d bring a rain jacket along. I’d also strongly suggest sunscreen.
The route, is hilly. That’s why we’re doing it. The idea is to get a feel for how good you are at riding your heavy bike over challenging terrain. Further, the idea is to build the confidence necessary to tackle the Cheaha Two Day Tour.
Remember, 5 July, we’re going to do this in the mountains!!! Cool.
I’m really hoping to see you all out there Sunday.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Tour Pacing
Cyclists can usually be classified by the way they ride. Generally speaking, folks who are interested in cycle touring would fall into the category of “Fast Recreational Cyclist.”
That usually refers to folks who ride a good bit, ride athletically, do a certain amount of “training,” and are capable of doing some endurance riding.
But there’s a bit of a problem here. There aren’t many “cycling schools.” So most of us just sort of pick it up as we go along. We get advice from magazines, and friends. Sometimes it’s even good advice. Unfortunately, sometimes this advice is commercial in nature. Face it, racing sells. Racing is attractive. Racing is exciting and glamorous.
So a lot of the advice we get is aimed at reinforcing the marketing aspect of racing. We are constantly barraged with information that is designed to “help” us become more like the racers we admire. We are led to emulate them. That’s not an entirely bad thing, but…
The problem is, we aren’t being paid to do this stuff. More, while we are coping with jobs, family, church, social opbligations, the lawn, and the car payment, we try to cram a little cycling in there. Is it any wonder that the way we ride is (and should be) different from the profesional racer?
For the tourist, the most profound difference is in an apporach to riding. We are going to go out, for a long time, lugging a lot of stuff. We generally aren’t interested in “cracking” our touring partners.
Gratuitous Note: Cracking one’s touring companions is always a poor idea. Almost invariably we really crack ourselves. At the same time we seriously annoy someone else. And guess what almost always happens? The very person we busted bad on, turns out to be the only member of the group who is carry a spoke tool, when we break a spoke. Oops!
So just what is the major difference between how the racers and tourists ride? It’s in the basic theory of how we ride. A racer is riding a style that could be described as “Speed Maintenance.” The tourist should be riding a “Power Maintenance” style.
In Speed Maintenance, the object is to keep the speed up, regardless of the terrain. It hurts. It takes a lot of energy. It’s inefficient. Attempting to maintain speed when climbing, drives heart rate up. As HR rises, fatigue rates go up geometrically. This is not a good idea if one is planning to keep going for a long time.
In Power Maintenance, the object is to keep the power output constant in the flats and on the climbs. This means HR does not spike up on the climbs. But speed does fall off sharply. A Power Maintenance rider will down shift before the climb, and “let the hill come to her.” She will shift to an easy gear, well in advance of the slope, allowing speed to fall off, until she finds the balance between her gearing and the hill. She is looking for that ideal range that keeps her at that good, aerobic level she has been sustaining in the flats.
This is a more efficient style of riding. It’s not as fast and flashy. It doesn’t bust anyone out of the pack. But it does allow a loaded rider to keep going, and going, and going…
That usually refers to folks who ride a good bit, ride athletically, do a certain amount of “training,” and are capable of doing some endurance riding.
But there’s a bit of a problem here. There aren’t many “cycling schools.” So most of us just sort of pick it up as we go along. We get advice from magazines, and friends. Sometimes it’s even good advice. Unfortunately, sometimes this advice is commercial in nature. Face it, racing sells. Racing is attractive. Racing is exciting and glamorous.
So a lot of the advice we get is aimed at reinforcing the marketing aspect of racing. We are constantly barraged with information that is designed to “help” us become more like the racers we admire. We are led to emulate them. That’s not an entirely bad thing, but…
The problem is, we aren’t being paid to do this stuff. More, while we are coping with jobs, family, church, social opbligations, the lawn, and the car payment, we try to cram a little cycling in there. Is it any wonder that the way we ride is (and should be) different from the profesional racer?
For the tourist, the most profound difference is in an apporach to riding. We are going to go out, for a long time, lugging a lot of stuff. We generally aren’t interested in “cracking” our touring partners.
Gratuitous Note: Cracking one’s touring companions is always a poor idea. Almost invariably we really crack ourselves. At the same time we seriously annoy someone else. And guess what almost always happens? The very person we busted bad on, turns out to be the only member of the group who is carry a spoke tool, when we break a spoke. Oops!
So just what is the major difference between how the racers and tourists ride? It’s in the basic theory of how we ride. A racer is riding a style that could be described as “Speed Maintenance.” The tourist should be riding a “Power Maintenance” style.
In Speed Maintenance, the object is to keep the speed up, regardless of the terrain. It hurts. It takes a lot of energy. It’s inefficient. Attempting to maintain speed when climbing, drives heart rate up. As HR rises, fatigue rates go up geometrically. This is not a good idea if one is planning to keep going for a long time.
In Power Maintenance, the object is to keep the power output constant in the flats and on the climbs. This means HR does not spike up on the climbs. But speed does fall off sharply. A Power Maintenance rider will down shift before the climb, and “let the hill come to her.” She will shift to an easy gear, well in advance of the slope, allowing speed to fall off, until she finds the balance between her gearing and the hill. She is looking for that ideal range that keeps her at that good, aerobic level she has been sustaining in the flats.
This is a more efficient style of riding. It’s not as fast and flashy. It doesn’t bust anyone out of the pack. But it does allow a loaded rider to keep going, and going, and going…
Monday, June 8, 2009
Ride Report and a Look Beyond
Sunday a doughty little group of us met in Gay, GA and departed fro points both south and up. Not your typical group road ride, this. Present were Doug Gibbs, Cindy Whitley, Chris Muntzel, Ryan Summers, Matt Rinenback, and your truly. It should be noted that Doug, Chris, and Matt rode to the ride. Doug came from Luthersville, and Chris and Matt from Peachtree City. That meant that each of these folks did about 45 miles extra, riding to and from the 40+ mile ride. Way cool!
I should add, this was a really good group. Folks worked together. The mood was generally happy. And even more to the point, everyone stayed focused, and we made much better time than I anticipated.
The weather was near ideal, the hills were hilly, and the climb up the Pine Mountain “Wall” was challenging and exhilarating. What more need be said?
Now let us look ahead a little bit. I’ve only heard from one potential rider about rooming choices for the Cheaha Two Day Tour. That’s fine, but if any of you are thinking of doing this, and would like to share room expenses, please contact me, and I can connect you with other like minded individuals. I don’t want to get into making reservations, or assigning folks. But, if you want me to help you all connect, now is the time.
While on the subject of future plans… Let’s take a moment to talk about October and the Waynesville, NC Adventure. This one is going to take some planning. We need to recruit some drivers. I have a truck to offer. It can carry three bikes and four people, along with their gear. I need a driver. Perhaps one of you prospective riders has a significant other who would consent to drive? If so, I need to know it. I already have one other cyclist committed to riding with me. Driver needed. Any takers? (Hint: If you provide the driver, you get your gear hauled for free, and don’t pay gas for the trip up or back.)
Let’s Dream for a little bit. What about the more distant future? You know, if you like this touring stuff, there’s a lot of it that can be done. Let’s toss a couple of ideas around. France? Hawaii? England? Ireland? Australia or New Zealand? The Pacific Coast? The Blue Ridge Parkway? A trek down the keys to Key West? A big loop around the Shenandoa Valley? California wine country? How about the Sierra Nevadas, Lake Tahoe, Carson City, then down to Reno? The sky is the limit. What’s your dream?
Tomorrow: Pacing on a tour.
I should add, this was a really good group. Folks worked together. The mood was generally happy. And even more to the point, everyone stayed focused, and we made much better time than I anticipated.
The weather was near ideal, the hills were hilly, and the climb up the Pine Mountain “Wall” was challenging and exhilarating. What more need be said?
Now let us look ahead a little bit. I’ve only heard from one potential rider about rooming choices for the Cheaha Two Day Tour. That’s fine, but if any of you are thinking of doing this, and would like to share room expenses, please contact me, and I can connect you with other like minded individuals. I don’t want to get into making reservations, or assigning folks. But, if you want me to help you all connect, now is the time.
While on the subject of future plans… Let’s take a moment to talk about October and the Waynesville, NC Adventure. This one is going to take some planning. We need to recruit some drivers. I have a truck to offer. It can carry three bikes and four people, along with their gear. I need a driver. Perhaps one of you prospective riders has a significant other who would consent to drive? If so, I need to know it. I already have one other cyclist committed to riding with me. Driver needed. Any takers? (Hint: If you provide the driver, you get your gear hauled for free, and don’t pay gas for the trip up or back.)
Let’s Dream for a little bit. What about the more distant future? You know, if you like this touring stuff, there’s a lot of it that can be done. Let’s toss a couple of ideas around. France? Hawaii? England? Ireland? Australia or New Zealand? The Pacific Coast? The Blue Ridge Parkway? A trek down the keys to Key West? A big loop around the Shenandoa Valley? California wine country? How about the Sierra Nevadas, Lake Tahoe, Carson City, then down to Reno? The sky is the limit. What’s your dream?
Tomorrow: Pacing on a tour.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Sunday Final Preps
Wherein we anticipate some and clarify a bit.
Weather outlook. Looks like a nice day with a fair chance of getting wet sometime during the afternoon. There’s now a 30% chance of widely scattered T-showers.
The temps will be mid 70s to mid eighties. Yup, looks like rain jacket and sunscreen.
I might add, the only way to learn to ride in weather is… Ride in weather and learn. Better to do it close to home and under more controlled conditions.
Training clarification:
In previous posts I’ve recommended that we each start riding with a heavier bike than we actually plan to take on the Cheaha Two Day Tour. The observant reader will remember that we suggested packing the bike, making any modifications necessary, doing a trial pack, and then weighing the load. From that, you could determine how much weight you would be carrying.
Here’s a bit of that clarification. The “load” did not mean weighing the entire rig. Your bike, water, bags, etc are the base. They won’t change. The “load” is what you will be packing.
I suggested that, for training purposes, we then load the bike to a bit heavier than the intended packout, while looking at pairing down the “load” weight. This is a good strategy, but like most things in life, it can be carried too far. I’ve had a couple of comments that indicated that folks were thinking in terms of an increase in total weight, and that increase was in the range of 15% to 20%.
Personally, I would go with a higher percentage of the “load.” But not of the total vehicle weight.
Example:
- My bike, with pump, fenders, lights, computers, and bag weighs in at something like 35 pounds.
- Add water and the basic vehicle weight comes close to 40 pounds.
- My trial load tips the scale at 15 pounds.
- Loaded bike then weighs 55 pounds.
- 15% of loaded bike is 8.25 pounds
- 25% of load is 3.75 pounds
- So adding 3.75 pounds to my target tour weight brings the training weight to a svelte 58.75 pounds.
- The sharp eyed among us will quickly see that this is a good bit less than 63.25 pounds.
Incidentally, for purposes of comparison, a penny weighs about three grams.
Gratuitous Hint: On a tour, try to spend your coins. I’ve found that I can accumulate a pound to a pound and a half of change in a busy day of distance riding. Spending it helps keep the dead weight down.
100 pennies weigh 300 grams or about 10.5 ounces
A one dollar bill weighs about 0.25 grams
What we’re getting at is that you don’t need to over do the increased training weight bit. Remember, if you are carrying one or two extra pounds, you will be carrying them all day long.
Can’t wait to get on the bike for this one! Looks to me like a truly great day, and a really nice route.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Touring Test Ride Outlook & Details
As of this writing, the forecast for Sunday is partly cloudy, high near 90 degrees, 10% rain chance. Widely scattered “pop up” thundershowers may be expected.
A quick word about forecasts. Folks, this is north Georgia. If the forecast rain chance is 0%, then you can figure you have about a 30% chance of getting wet in a two hour afternoon ride. If you cancel on the threat of rain, you just aren’t going to ride much. (grins)
This is a test of your ability to handle carrying your load, with your gearing, under likely weather conditions, and with a good bit of climbing thrown in. So use some of that cargo weight you need to carry to pack a rain jacket and maybe a helmet cover and cycling cap.
I hate to sound like a broken record, but I’d also strongly recommend carrying a good strong (spf 45+) sunscreen. Apply liberally before the ride, and plan to re-apply somewhere around the middle of the trip. We will be starting at 1:00 PM, with old Sol nearly directly overhead. If it’s overcast, you can get on nasty “surprise burn.”
Plan to carry plenty of water. Remember, you can use water (if you have it) for drinking, and to dowse yourself for cooling.
From previous posts, you should have a pretty good idea of what to bring and the kind of pace we’ll be keeping. To this I’ll add, this will likely be the first really warm ride for many of us, so we’ll want to keep the pace very moderate. I see no sense in racing like demons, while risking injury or health.
Upcoming Test Rides:
I’d like to get in a good longer ride and maybe a mountain workout to boot. So I’m thinking of doing two more “Test Rides” before we actually go.
So how about this? In addition to this coming Sunday's Touring Test Ride to Pine Mountain, I'm adding the following two Test Rides.
65 mile Audax Tune Up Loop
Date: Sunday 21 June
Start/Finish at Bicycles Unlimited
Start Time: 11:00 AM
Course Conditions: Hilly and rolling
Pace: Relaxed Touring ~~ Approx 12 mph rolling average
Weather Minimums: We’re going
Requirements: Be there. Wear a helmet. Ride the bike and load you will bring to the tour
Dahlonega, GA Triple Gap Loop
Date: Sunday 5 July
Start/Finish: Walmart Parking Lot, Dahlonega
Start Time: 9:00 AM
Course Conditions: Mountains
Pace: Whatever gets it done
Weather Minimums: We’re going
Requirements: Be there. Wear a helmet. Ride the bike and load you will bring to the tour
There! By the time we’ve done all that we ought to pretty well know whether we are ready for Cheaha or not.
Looking forward to seeing you Sunday.
A quick word about forecasts. Folks, this is north Georgia. If the forecast rain chance is 0%, then you can figure you have about a 30% chance of getting wet in a two hour afternoon ride. If you cancel on the threat of rain, you just aren’t going to ride much. (grins)
This is a test of your ability to handle carrying your load, with your gearing, under likely weather conditions, and with a good bit of climbing thrown in. So use some of that cargo weight you need to carry to pack a rain jacket and maybe a helmet cover and cycling cap.
I hate to sound like a broken record, but I’d also strongly recommend carrying a good strong (spf 45+) sunscreen. Apply liberally before the ride, and plan to re-apply somewhere around the middle of the trip. We will be starting at 1:00 PM, with old Sol nearly directly overhead. If it’s overcast, you can get on nasty “surprise burn.”
Plan to carry plenty of water. Remember, you can use water (if you have it) for drinking, and to dowse yourself for cooling.
From previous posts, you should have a pretty good idea of what to bring and the kind of pace we’ll be keeping. To this I’ll add, this will likely be the first really warm ride for many of us, so we’ll want to keep the pace very moderate. I see no sense in racing like demons, while risking injury or health.
Upcoming Test Rides:
I’d like to get in a good longer ride and maybe a mountain workout to boot. So I’m thinking of doing two more “Test Rides” before we actually go.
So how about this? In addition to this coming Sunday's Touring Test Ride to Pine Mountain, I'm adding the following two Test Rides.
65 mile Audax Tune Up Loop
Date: Sunday 21 June
Start/Finish at Bicycles Unlimited
Start Time: 11:00 AM
Course Conditions: Hilly and rolling
Pace: Relaxed Touring ~~ Approx 12 mph rolling average
Weather Minimums: We’re going
Requirements: Be there. Wear a helmet. Ride the bike and load you will bring to the tour
Dahlonega, GA Triple Gap Loop
Date: Sunday 5 July
Start/Finish: Walmart Parking Lot, Dahlonega
Start Time: 9:00 AM
Course Conditions: Mountains
Pace: Whatever gets it done
Weather Minimums: We’re going
Requirements: Be there. Wear a helmet. Ride the bike and load you will bring to the tour
There! By the time we’ve done all that we ought to pretty well know whether we are ready for Cheaha or not.
Looking forward to seeing you Sunday.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Test Ride Cues and Such
Here’s the cue sheet for this Sunday’s “Touring Test Ride.”
Miles Leg Turn Comment
0.0 0.0 L out of store onto GA-85/74
6.8 6.8 R bear right onto GA-85 alt
17.2 10.4 S traffic light in Warm Springs (stores)
20.7 3.5 S summit of Pine Mountain
22.4 1.7 x reverse course
24.1 1.7 S summit Pine Mountain
27.6 3.5 S traffic light in Warm Springs (stores)
36.2 8.4 S Cross GA-109 (stores)
37.6 1.4 L onto GA-85/74
44.8 7.2 FINISH!!!
By now, some of you (ones who are a bit familiar with Georgia geography) will have figured out that this ride is going to be, in a word, hilly!
That’s right. It’s deliberate. The idea is to find out if you are geared for the trip. Please do this right. Bring the bike you intend to ride. Have it geared the way you expect to ride it. Pack it for the actual Tour. (maybe even add a little bit of weight) Then see how you do. If you get stuck, you won’t be that far from help.
If you need to make changes, now is the time to find it out.
Do plan to ride this in whatever the weather brings. There is no way to know what we will experience in July.
This should be both educational and fun!
Miles Leg Turn Comment
0.0 0.0 L out of store onto GA-85/74
6.8 6.8 R bear right onto GA-85 alt
17.2 10.4 S traffic light in Warm Springs (stores)
20.7 3.5 S summit of Pine Mountain
22.4 1.7 x reverse course
24.1 1.7 S summit Pine Mountain
27.6 3.5 S traffic light in Warm Springs (stores)
36.2 8.4 S Cross GA-109 (stores)
37.6 1.4 L onto GA-85/74
44.8 7.2 FINISH!!!
By now, some of you (ones who are a bit familiar with Georgia geography) will have figured out that this ride is going to be, in a word, hilly!
That’s right. It’s deliberate. The idea is to find out if you are geared for the trip. Please do this right. Bring the bike you intend to ride. Have it geared the way you expect to ride it. Pack it for the actual Tour. (maybe even add a little bit of weight) Then see how you do. If you get stuck, you won’t be that far from help.
If you need to make changes, now is the time to find it out.
Do plan to ride this in whatever the weather brings. There is no way to know what we will experience in July.
This should be both educational and fun!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Touring Test Ride
Remember, the venue has changed!
Same day and time, Sunday, 7 June, at 1:00 PM (sharp). But the Location changes.
We’re going to meet in Gay, GA, about 22 miles south of Peachtree City.
GPS cooridnates: N 33 05.558 W 84 34.429
To find the meeting location, travel south on GA-85 until you come to the traffic light in the heart of Gay. Continue through the light. There is a service station and store on the left, just at the intersection with Flat Shoals Rd. There’s room to park in the gravel at the apex of the station property. Let’s meet and depart from there.
WHY? We’re still going to do a 45 mile ride, but we want to make it a good sound test of our ability to handle climbing with a touring load. So we’ll head due south on GA-85 to Woodbury. At Woodbury we’ll shift to GA-85 Alt, and proceed to Warm Springs. Once we’re in Warm Springs, we’re going to climb the famous Pine Mountain “wall.” We’ll come back the same way we went out.
Conditions: The ride will go rain or shine. Sunscreen strongly recommended. Helmets required.
Pace is what you make of it, but I’d like it if we stayed together and rode in a relaxed fashion.
Stops will be where and when they are needed. There are plenty of facilities in Warm Springs. Do remember the store in Gay is pretty unreliable, especially on Sunday.
Cue Sheet: I’ll put a cue sheet up on this blog tomorrow.
Same day and time, Sunday, 7 June, at 1:00 PM (sharp). But the Location changes.
We’re going to meet in Gay, GA, about 22 miles south of Peachtree City.
GPS cooridnates: N 33 05.558 W 84 34.429
To find the meeting location, travel south on GA-85 until you come to the traffic light in the heart of Gay. Continue through the light. There is a service station and store on the left, just at the intersection with Flat Shoals Rd. There’s room to park in the gravel at the apex of the station property. Let’s meet and depart from there.
WHY? We’re still going to do a 45 mile ride, but we want to make it a good sound test of our ability to handle climbing with a touring load. So we’ll head due south on GA-85 to Woodbury. At Woodbury we’ll shift to GA-85 Alt, and proceed to Warm Springs. Once we’re in Warm Springs, we’re going to climb the famous Pine Mountain “wall.” We’ll come back the same way we went out.
Conditions: The ride will go rain or shine. Sunscreen strongly recommended. Helmets required.
Pace is what you make of it, but I’d like it if we stayed together and rode in a relaxed fashion.
Stops will be where and when they are needed. There are plenty of facilities in Warm Springs. Do remember the store in Gay is pretty unreliable, especially on Sunday.
Cue Sheet: I’ll put a cue sheet up on this blog tomorrow.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Some Organizational Notes
It’s basic, we are planning to ride to Oxford, AL, via the summit of Cheaha. We’ll stay overnight in Oxford. Then we ride home. That means we need to book hotel rooms.
The “Rally Point” in Oxford is on Elm St, GPS coordinates are
N 33 36.134 W 85 49.895
This is just off of AL-21 (also listed as Quintard Dr.) The following are hotels very convenient to the rally point.
Hotel Accomodations:
Comfort Inn
138 Elm St.
Oxford, AL 36203 (256) 831-0860
Motel 6
202 Grace St.
I-20 at AL-21
Oxford, AL 36203 (256) 831-5628 Fax (256) 631-5628
Hampton Inn Anniston/Oxford
1600 Hwy 21 South
Anniston, AL 36203 (256) 835-1492
Econo Lodge (AL434)
25 Elm St
Oxford, AL 36203 (256) 831-9480
I see no particular reason, other than price, to patronize any specific one of these, and I am not recommending, or discouraging anyone from using any particular hotel. This info is provided for convenience only.
That said, I’m willing to act as a “clearing house” if any of you want to double up on rooms. If you do, contact me, at The.road.dragon@gamil.com and let me know that you are interested. I’ll need permission to share your email address. Then I will email any and all who have indicated a similar intent, and you all can then make your own arrangements.
As for services hear the rally point, there are quite a few. These include a convenience store, and…
- Waffle House, just south of Elm St, on Northbound side of AL-21 (Quintard Dr)
- Pizza Express at the rally point on Elm St.
- Outback Steak House, from Rally Point on Elm St turn left on AL-21 (Quintard Dr), then immediate right onto Elm St. Approx 100 yard, Elm forks. Take right fork onto Mill St. and follow Mill St for 0.2 miles to the restaurant.
- Fried Chicken. I saw this when I was scouting the ride, but didn’t get the particulars.
On the tour, we will ride to the rally point. Once we reach that, we will all go our several ways, check into hotels, get food, sleep, and go to the rally point in the morning. Departure from the Oxford Rally point will be at 8:00 EDT. (Remember, Alabama is in Central Time Zone)
Is this starting to get real to you yet?
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