BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

Will you be posting these somewhere at a later date?

Whoa, that's a hell of a ramp-up.

Maybe just maybe I'll get off my ass and do some long group rides this year.

@shel: They'll probably be on the Wheelmen calendar, but I'll make sure they're kept up to date in this thread.

@edmonds: Yep. But, anyone who's planning on tackling CTC at the end of April should already have at least a vague idea of what they're getting into...

@BradQ: I'm thinking about some rando-style s240s later this year, if such appeals to ya.

It looks like some of us won't be having much of a social life near the end of April:

120~ish training ride, followed next weekend by the Minerva 300k, followed by CTC, followed by Pittsburgh-Erie-Pittsburgh.

You plan on riding all of those?

Uh...I'm planning on riding a fleche instead of the Minerva 300K.

That doesn't make it better, does it.

Yah i may be getting talked into doing this ride,but i really do need to get in better shape

Other early-spring opportunities for long rides before CTC:

I'll be pre-riding the route for the Pgh-Randos Spring 200K on Sunday, the 20th of March; the brevet proper will be offered the following Saturday the 26th.

Course is not entirely finalized, but is based on the Thrift Drug Classic 200K; expect to hit Sycamore early on as the big climb of the route, then a jaunt out Noblestown Rd, up to Hookstown and over to East Liverpool, then back through Rochester, Cranberry, and the North Hills.

I'm sorry to have to ask, but what is CTC?

CTC=Crush The Commonwealth. Ride from Point State Park in Pittsburgh to the Liberty Bell in Philly.

2010 thread

2010 was an east-to-west ride, and if you were in Pgh that weekend, you might remember the gale-force rain that Saturday.

Revised start times!

I'm moving both the 10 AM start on the 3rd and the 9 AM start on the 10th to 8 AM.

Okay, that's confusing.

All three days (3rd, 10th, and 17th), the training ride starts at 8 AM by the bike rental on the jail trail.

Bump.

All rides start at 8 AM by bike rental on jail trail.

Sunday April 3rd: Meet-n-greet, 20-30 miles

Sunday April 10th: Pacing and on-bike nutrition, 65-75 miles

Sunday April 17th: Pacing, fit and comfort issues, 120+ miles with an opportunity to cut the ride short around 75-80 miles.

May I ask, what's the anticipated speed on Sunday April 3rd? thanks!

I asked him in another thread and he said that it would be determined by the group. The ride is a "no drop" ride, so essentially you go at a pace you feel comfortable with.

^^^That.

The April 3rd ride is mostly just to get to know each other, figure out who's trying to accomplish what, and make sure that the bikes are in good enough shape that they're likely to survive longer rides in the following weeks.

I'm going to TEDxCMU this Sunday, but I may stop by just to say hi.

Looks like a brisk morning tomorrow, but I should be there.

My reading skills are fail. Showed up about 8:15, thinking the ride was at 8:30.

My reading skills are fine, but my getting-to-places-on-time skills are fail, so I had a nice ride around the trails w/ boostuv

Heh. No worries. I ended up meandering homewards whilst sipping coffee, then tackling a couple of neighborhood hills I hadn't climbed in a while.

Next week is the 60-75 miler; I'd suggest that those planning on doing CTC treat it as a dress rehearsal, so load up with whatever gear and luggage you're planning on bringing. We'll likely do a mellow Red Belt loop or some such.

On an unrelated, but still kind of related note, on my way back home I decided to run up the stairs that go from 2nd Ave up to Duquesne University with my bike on my shoulder. I severely under-estimated the difficulty of said task. I also completely ate shit trying to jump over the triangular barrier on Forbes where there is that blocked off pedestrian lane right before it merges with the Parkway-Forbes exit. Luckily I dont think anyone saw and aside from tearing my grip tape and a bruised ego there wasnt any damage.

Dan, did no one show? I'd love to make it out next week but my longest ride is like 30 miles. Is the red belt fairly flat?

Is the red belt fairly flat?

Most parts.

Note: ride this Sunday will go on rain or shine. It's looking potentially damp, but nice and warm.

Here's a vague idea of the route. We may well wing it (shortcut, reroute, or extend) depending on how attendees are feeling, but this'll give you an idea of what to expect.

Likely stops are a 7-11 in Warrendale 30 miles in, and a Sheetz near Tarentum maybe 25 miles on. (There may also have to be a quick stop in Sewickley at the bakery...yumyumyum!)

I'm not looking forward to it, but I'll be there. I'm really not in the shape I'd like to be in this close to the 29th.

Word, I'll be there.

I should really show up for this.

"I'm training for a race" is a much better excuse for avoiding household chores and suchlike than "I'm gonna go ride my bike for a few hours."

That said, if anyone's running a few minutes late, just call my cell at fourone2-nineone5-six2zero6. I occasionally notice it ringing.

Wish I could steal away for the day. Too many irons in the fire this weekend. Will ride, but it will be local here in NEOH.

Fun time, great weather for a ride. Thanks to all who came out; and congratulations to boostuv, who more than doubled his previous distance record today!

Next week's long one may well involve both shores of the Mon, the GAP, and a hill or two. Muhahahahaha.

I have the most ridiculous tan lines. Im so glad I kept my jersey on over my bib this afternoon or they'd be even worse lol

I have the most ridiculous tan lines.

Yep. I'm displaying my redneck heritage proudly today, believe you me.

If only there was something you could put on your skin to cut back on the damage from the sun's rays. Whoever comes up with that invention will have a real moneymaker.

Rule 7:

Tan lines should be cultivated and kept razor sharp. Under no circumstances should one be rolling up their sleeves or shorts in an effort to somehow diminish one’s tan lines. Sleeveless jerseys are under no circumstances to be employed

April - balaclavas one day, sunscreen the next. Whatta friggin' month.

April - balaclavas one day, sunscreen the next. Whatta friggin' month.

There was at least one ride in March where I used both inside of 8 hours.

Didn't turn a pedal all weekend, unless I include a few laps around the play ground on my son's 12".

As usual, I've got mad fitness for CtC.

I definitely confirmed that I am not in the shape I used to be in.

@Nick: Just dial it back a little from the speed we were maintaining yesterday, and you'll be fine.

13 mph rolling average gives you ~30 hours riding to get to the Bell...if you're shooting for sub-48 hours, that gives you all kinds of time to chill out, sleep, and whatnot.

Just make sure to pack tubes that match your tires next time, m'kay?

For this weekend's long one, I'm thinking that something quirky like this will be fun:

Southern Squiggle (124 miles, 6700' climbing, highlights include Mon River, Perryopolis, GAP, and Gill Hall Rd).

A 90-mile bailout option is built in; at ~ mile 75 in McKeesport, instead of going back up the Mon for the run to Monongahela and Gill Hall, you can head directly back to town for a total ride in the 90-mile range. Otherwise, you'll get to enjoy the classic Stone Church/Gill Hall climb and a return through the heart of the South Hills for a solid 125 or thereabouts.

Nice headwinds today. Both ways. If the bunch did 120 in this nonsense, chapeau.

That's sort of the problem I rode into today. Wind was worst when from the side(s).

Oh, and I miss my mirror.

Was this ride bagged? I rolled up to the bike rental at about 30 seconds after 8 o'clock and no one was there.

Heh...I rolled away at 8. No-one else was there, so I bagged it and headed over to briefly check out the crit.

Given the winds, it's probably good that we didn't spend a lot of time cruising the banks of the Mon.

hey. this is a little short notice but i'm making the ride by myself tomorrow. i'm using the s route but i was hoping that you or someone had a list of the direction somewhere. i could get them off the map provided by the state but its super small and difficult to read. i wish i would have seen this blog a month ago but i just saw it today.

@fearconfere: Here's an online map that's based on the PA route maps. It's likely not entirely accurate, but should be close enough.

I hope it's accurate - it's what I'm using to get me home in two weeks...

I gave it close study in the areas I know...looked dead on to me.

DC

thanks. this just proves that procrastination always pays.