jyl

I've only ridden STP once, and will do it again this year, so take this thought as just two cents' worth . . .

You don't need to go fast, but there is some value to not dawdling too much. Each day is 100 miles if you stop in Centralia. The first day, if you ride at 12 mph and stop for pictures, plus the food and drink and pee stops, it will take you over 10 hours. Suppose you leave U of W at 8 am, you're not in Centralia until 6 pm. Then collect your bag from the truck, find a camping spot, set up (or get to your motel, etc) and you have maybe two hours to shower, eat and drink, before you conk out. That is not ideal in my view. I liked the Centralia stop, there are thousands of cyclists, lots to eat, beer, music, it is a fun place. Plus, 10 hours in the saddle is just a long time. IF you can, I would hold a faster pace. Similar with the second day.

But, if you can only do 12 mph, or just strongly prefer the slow and steady pace, it will still work - as mentioned, 10,000 people do it including plenty of people riding very slowly. I talked with a guy doing it on a unicycle.

I left U of W before 6 am, arrived at Centralia around [corrected] 12:30 am , and loved having the whole afternoon to walk around, lay in the sun, nap, etc. This year, I will ride slower as I'm going with a group including my wife and son.

Which bike - either will do. I'd ride both in your training and take whichever one is most comfortable for you over a long distance, and if they are equally comfortable, then whichever one is faster. Get it checked over by a bike mechanic, or do that yourself, and be prepared to change a flat tube if needed.

By July you should be doing training rides of at least 50 miles (no long stops) without any difficulty, still feeling pretty good at the end, both legs and rear end. Then you can do 100 miles on Sat with maybe a little difficulty, and the second 100 miles on Sun may be challenging but you'll be able to do it.

See you there!