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SmokinMiles

06-10-07, 02:32 PM

Psimet2001

06-10-07, 07:22 PM

2 years ago I got 2 centuries in before the RAIN. Last year I got 3 centuries in before the RAIN. This year I already have 2 in (would have been 3, but pulled up short at 80 miles). I will probably get 100 in during the Horrible Hilly Hundreds this weekend. I only say that because I signed up for the 100K, but will most likely attempt the 200K instead.

If I'm feeling spunky and play the father's day card I might ride Sweedish Days on Sunday as well ;). Back to back centuries....better yet would be back-to-back double metrics......hmmm...I'm sick.

aham23

06-10-07, 07:55 PM

miles and miles. get your butt, i mean body, ready for the long haul. last year was my first RAIN. i had two centuries, one metric and several 50 milers under my belt. this year i already have two centuries, the HHH coming up, a metric on the 4th, and more total miles. plus, instead of just riding i have done some intervals and hill repeats as part of my HHH training. other then that, i just plan to ride as much as possible.

-----

"If I'm feeling spunky and play the father's day card I might ride Sweedish Days on Sunday as well . Back to back centuries....better yet would be back-to-back double metrics......hmmm...I'm sick."

hey Psi, my first guess was drunk! :)

later.

Psimet2001

06-10-07, 08:21 PM

<snip>hey Psi, my first guess was drunk! :)

later.
...not anymore.... ;)

SmokinMiles

06-10-07, 08:48 PM

Thanks for the input.

A couple of other questions.....how far out from RAIN will you do your last century?

What do the 2 weeks before the ride look like for you? How much do you taper, etc?

Is 62 miles on the 4th too long only 9 days before or about ride for a final longish ride?

Thanks again, I'm trying to put together 2 more centuries.

I think I'm going to have my own century on Saturday....from Chez Louden. Crystal

nvr

06-10-07, 09:16 PM

Speaking of RAIN...how are you guys arranging for SAG support? From what I understand from the site, you pretty much need to arrange for someone to meet you at points along the route? Is this right? Do you guys suck it up and not piss off the SO during the 2 weeks leading up to this? I only ask because I seem to be doing a lot of that lately :D As for actual training, I'm sticking with my regular ride schedule (Sun,Tue, Th, Sat). I may get one more century in (WI-IN ride :D ), plus some metrics in before. My last hard ride will be the Tuesday before, and one easy 30 miler on Thursday.

DXchulo

06-10-07, 11:03 PM

Speaking of RAIN...how are you guys arranging for SAG support? From what I understand from the site, you pretty much need to arrange for someone to meet you at points along the route? Is this right?

That won't be necessary. All the stops have food and water at the very least. The first stop is at mile 40. It doesn't have a huge food selection, but it's mile 40, so you shouldn't need it. The middle two stops are at 66 and 91 miles. The stop at mile 91 is considered lunch and has a lot of food. The 4th stop is at mile 132. It doesn't have a whole lot of food, but it does have popsicles. Sounds crazy, but I really look forward to those popsicles.

When it comes to water, I've done fine with 2 water bottles in the past. The first 40 miles are in the morning before it gets hot, so 2 bottles should be enough. Then when it starts getting hotter you only have to go 26 and then 25 between stops. The leg after the lunch stop is probably the one you'll want to worry about the most. It's 41 miles and the temperature should be getting pretty hot by then. The good news is that once you get back on US 40 around Greenfield you'll start passing some little towns where you could stop at a store without going off route if you were running low on water. The last leg is 28 miles, so that one should be fine.

I don't know if you like hydration packs, but you'd be 100% sure to have enough water if you took one. A lot of people take them on RAIN, so you won't look out of place. I'll probably use one this year because I want to stop as little as possible. Don't use one if you haven't trained with one. Mine used to bother my back until I got used to it.

As for food, it all depends on how picky you are. I only stopped at the popsicle stop last time, so maybe someone else can help you out better here. But I think I remember eating an apple at the first stop 2 years ago. The 2nd stop is gone from my memory, but I remember that the lunch stop had sandwiches (peanut butter? lunch meat?), Pop-Tarts, and chips. I'm not sure how much they change this from year to year, but I believe that the calories are there for the taking if you can stomach them.

I don't know how fast you plan on doing this or how many long rides you've done in the past, so I'm not sure if you know how many hours of food you can fit in your pockets and all of that. What I do know is that you can carry plenty if you have a system worked out. For instance, I like a baggie full of Fig Newtons in the right pocket and a mix of PowerBars/Clif Bars in the left pocket. Don't eat the same thing twice in a row and that can last me up to 8 hours. Anything over 8 hours and I need real food, no matter how many "different" varieties of energy bars I take along. This is just an example, so don't use my method. It's taken me a great deal of trial and error (mostly error ;)) to figure that out, and that's the main point. Don't just shove 10 PowerBars in your pockets and assume everything is going to be great.

If all else fails, US 40 does have its share of gas stations/fast food joints along the way. It may sound crazy, but something like a Twinkie is actually perfect for a long ride like this. It gives you a lot of calories and is easy on the stomach.

A lot of people have their own SAG to follow them, but I've always though it to be unnecessary. Unless you're going for all-out speed and don't even want to stop for water (I might try that this year), then you can make it through on the rest stops alone. I think a lot of people have a SAG mainly for the moral support. That's cool if your SO cares that much about you, but I know mine doesn't ;) I feel lucky enough that she's willing to drive me home from Richmond!

What if something crazy happens and you can't finish? That's probably not an issue because (a) you can just call your SO to come get you and (b) if push comes to shove there are so many SAGs out there already that I'm sure you could find a helping hand if you needed one.

I hope that helps. I love RAIN.

SmokinMiles

06-11-07, 09:09 AM

Speaking of RAIN...how are you guys arranging for SAG support? From what I understand from the site, you pretty much need to arrange for someone to meet you at points along the route? Is this right? Do you guys suck it up and not piss off the SO during the 2 weeks leading up to this? I only ask because I seem to be doing a lot of that lately :D As for actual training, I'm sticking with my regular ride schedule (Sun,Tue, Th, Sat). I may get one more century in (WI-IN ride :D ), plus some metrics in before. My last hard ride will be the Tuesday before, and one easy 30 miler on Thursday.

Here's what I would recommend. I rode it last year and had my parents for SAG. It depends on your goals whether you want to use the rest stops (they are plentiful and well stocked) but you will lose a lot of time especially in the early stops.

Last year I rode it with the "just to finish" goal so I didn't mind being delayed at really busy stops. This year, though, I want to go for a better time and I'm not using the rest stops especially the 60ish mile one and the lunch stop. These are really crowded and eat up precious time.

Lots of folks have their own SAG . Lots don't. I met a guy a couple of rides ago that did the whole ride on his own and took advantage of the vehicle that takes bikes back to Terre Haute. He also used the convenience stores along 40 for his food/water plus with last year's temps he was buying ice. He said he preferred that to the stops. I love plain baked potatoes with lots of salt for endurance events so my parents had those for me.

Or if you're really hardcore, you could stay overnight in Richmond and ride back to your car the next day for a 2 day total of 320 miles!!!! Crystal

SmokinMiles

06-11-07, 09:17 AM

One other thought....I echo the previous poster. There is plenty of SAG and help out there if you should need it.

It is a LONG day for people on SAG duty. For that reason I didn't have my parents meet me till about mile 110 and then they went on about every 15 miles to see me. (It was so freakin hot last year that I really just wanted to see them every hour or so. )

I wore a 100 oz hydrapak and had 2 bottles. I had emptied those by the time I saw them at 110 but it was over 100* last year.

The popsicles were divine along with the mister/cooling tent thing to stand in....Dang, I hope it's not that hot this year!

SmokinMiles

06-11-07, 09:24 AM

nvr...I didn't realize you were doing RAIN. My parents will be out there again this year. If you need help, I'll give you their cell phone number. Also, LOTS of my Indiana friends will be riding (I'm from Indiana) and they would be available as well. Nice folks who'd be glad to help you.

Then your SO could just be at the finish. Crystal

Psimet2001

06-11-07, 09:29 AM

I've had SAG vehicles both years I've ridden it. The first year it was my parents who live in INDY so it worked out well. Last year it was my father-in-law, and I was riding with aham23.

The stops are OK. The lunch stop gets really packed and busy. You do lose a lot of time there. We stopped a LOT last year. I don't want to stop that much this year.

That being said it is priceless to have someone meet you with water on the East side of INDY when you meet up with 40 again. Both years I have run out of water just before there. Also I will be employing the towel soaked in ice water trick. Can't do that without a sag.

Finally I like to get the heck out of there and back to Chicago....not Richmond.

Right now CyLowe, aham, and I are looking for a SAG vehicle/driver. If anyone knows of anyone with a van and nothing to do....we're all ears.

Maybe Speedy McAwesome might have a lead.

SpeedyMcAwesome

06-11-07, 09:51 AM

I aim to please my admirers, but you must know by this point that keeping up The Awesome cannot involve a support vehicle.

I'll be riding to the RAIN ride and after dragging the so-called frontrunners from the eastern end of the Circle City all the way to Richmond, I'll be continuing on to Columbus for a personal appearance. The recovery ride back to Awesome's Creek will be the following day.

Good luck, and don't blink when you're in Terre Haute or you'll miss out on getting a glimpse of me.

chipcom

06-11-07, 11:26 AM

This will be my first RAIN - I think Mariner Fan talked me into it this past winter. Unfortunately it's been one of those years where I haven't had the time to do any real distance riding - only my 47 mile RT daily commute and some 30-40 mile weekend rides. I'm hoping to get free to pop out a century and a couple of metrics sometime in the next two weeks and I have done a double or two over the years, so I'm really not worried - though I won't exactly be a speed demon. It's not like I got 4k of elevation gain to worry about, right? ;)

aham23

06-11-07, 01:31 PM

i liked having a SAG as it was easy to get out of Richmond and headed home. it was on our time, not some slow shuttle filled with exhausted riders. it was hot last year and we used our SAG for some additional stops along the way to rehydrate and cool down. we had a minor mechanical issue too that we used it for.

that being said i am looking for less stops and a faster time this year. so who wants to give me, psi, and cy and ride back to the IN/IL border to get out car? :) later.

nvr

06-11-07, 03:07 PM

Psimet2001

06-11-07, 03:13 PM

aham23

06-11-07, 08:19 PM

....snip...Like you said there is no climbing and it IS a West to East route....pray for normal wind patterns.

uh, i remember some gentle rollers around mile 130. heck, any incline at mile 130 is a struggle. oh yeah, and the heat coming off that new asphalt around mile 140 was fantastic. good times. later.

SmokinMiles

06-12-07, 04:37 AM

Well, it's done. I just registered for RAIN. One day I'll have to have a chat with the voice in my head that gets me into these things, but for now I'm just looking forward to the ride.

DXchulo and SmokinMiles and everyone else- thanks for the tips, they're very helpful.

*EDIT* Sorry SmokinMiles, didn't mean to hijack your thread :o

No problem.......I think I am adequately trained! Fingers crossed. We must now turn our attention to the weather gods and the road paving gods and the mechanical gods, etc.....must build altar now....must also REGISTER!

chipcom

06-12-07, 06:43 AM

I finally registered as well. Think I talked my parents into doing a pseudo support from East side of Indy on....then back to Terror Hutty.

Chipcom! Coming to the RAIN!! Absolutley MUST meet up with you either the night before or in the morning. Even without the "training" I have no doubts you'll finish, and probably with a better time than I.

Like you said there is no climbing and it IS a West to East route....pray for normal wind patterns.

Well the Drury was booked, so we're staying up the road a piece...gonna have to look at my email confirmation when I get home to remember exactly where. Cheri is gonna kinda SAG...she'll meet me at some of the rest stops so the only lines I'll have to mess with are the bathrooms. If figure if I pick up a group of BFers, she can SAG for the group too.

I put in an order for a nice west wind, mild temps and no rain with Mother Nature. Guess we'll see how bad I pissed her off this past year. :eek:

Psimet2001

06-12-07, 07:17 AM

I stay at the Holiday Inn. It is at the same exit as the Drury, etc. but is not listed on any of the sites so it almost always has rooms. It's a big, old style Holiday Inn as well.

If the weather is bad I'm blaming you Chipcom....

PacersGuy

06-15-07, 05:00 PM

For those of you riding RAIN....how many centuries are you planning before the ride? I did 2 last year and felt well prepared. This year I was hoping for 3 but with Father's Day on the same day as the Swedish Days ride (not able to get that one in), I'll probably only get in 2 centuries along with 2-3 60 milers.

Any advice? What are you all doing?

I rode a 20 miler this week and 42 yesterday along with 30 miles of running. I've got a good endurance base.

Thanks, Crystal

last year i did two (i think) before RAIN, and did just fine. this year i've done 5 so far, with one being Assault on Mt Mitchell. i'll probably get in at least one more before RAIN.

someone asked about taper? for AoMM, i took a few days totally off the bike and felt great. i'll not do any real hard efforts during the week up to RAIN. i'll still ride, but won't try to kill myself.

if you're running 30 miles a week, that's a pretty solid base. get some saddle time in over the next few weeks and you'll be just fine.

lots of good input on hydration and sag support. i prefer sag support just for the having something to look forward to. +1 on needing water when on the east side, coming in from morristown pike back up to 40.

looking to trim quite a bit of time from last year's mark - and get into the lower 9:00 area, maybe lower if i can find a pack to work with.

has anyone noticed how the winds have been from the east a bit more than usual these past few weeks?

steve

SmokinMiles

06-16-07, 05:00 AM

last year i did two (i think) before RAIN, and did just fine. this year i've done 5 so far, with one being Assault on Mt Mitchell. i'll probably get in at least one more before RAIN.

someone asked about taper? for AoMM, i took a few days totally off the bike and felt great. i'll not do any real hard efforts during the week up to RAIN. i'll still ride, but won't try to kill myself.

if you're running 30 miles a week, that's a pretty solid base. get some saddle time in over the next few weeks and you'll be just fine.

lots of good input on hydration and sag support. i prefer sag support just for the having something to look forward to. +1 on needing water when on the east side, coming in from morristown pike back up to 40.

looking to trim quite a bit of time from last year's mark - and get into the lower 9:00 area, maybe lower if i can find a pack to work with.

has anyone noticed how the winds have been from the east a bit more than usual these past few weeks?

steve

Thanks for your reply. Sounds like you are really well trained for this year's RAIN.

I, too, took off 4-5 days before. Another tip for others reading is to be sure you're really taking in enough carbs during these days before to properly carb load. For my weight (125) I'm supposed to take in about 500 carbs/day during the few days before. Overeating is not a good thing but leaning towards more carbs is. Once I actually tallied up how many I was eating, I had to work to get 500/day.

I did not take my brother's advice last year and should have. His advice was to start at the front. He told me I'd be in pace lines that were too fast for me but that I could keep dropping back and that if I didn't get toward the front I'd never catch those pacelines later. He was right. I started back with the really recreational riders and never caught any of the faster pacelines.

Regarding the winds, I don't think I'd ride RAIN with a nasty headwind. Ugh! Crystal

chipcom

06-16-07, 06:23 AM

On my way out in a few to get in 80-100 today...finally! Great day for it too. :)

CyLowe97

06-18-07, 07:16 AM

Well, I'm in for my first RAIN. Now Psimet and aham can laugh at me all the way across Indiana after the torturous HHH last weekend.

Though after 107 miles of the HHH route and a nice 31 mile recovery on Sunday, I think I can handle the extra distance of the Hoosier State. I'm guessing that my attitude will be knocked down a peg or two as the ride approaches and as it rolls along. Can't wait.... :o

And we're all looking forward to meeting the mighty chipcom (well... at least meeting his wife so that we can ask her that one question that's on everyone's mind: You married this guy???).

chipcom

06-18-07, 07:47 AM

Might have a hitch...I wacked out my back yesterday, picking up some tools, of all the stupid things. I couldn't even walk yesterday without using a chair as a walker. I did manage to walk up the stairs and get a shower this morning. If I can get back on the bike by the end of the week, I should be cool.

Psimet2001

06-18-07, 08:16 AM

.....already with the excuses....:rolleyes:

-get better chipcom...

Scummer

06-20-07, 11:27 AM

PacersGuy

06-20-07, 12:49 PM

I was also planning on attending RAIN.. but i'm still wondering if this is just pure insanity or if I can really build up that much endurance in such a short time. I've just started cycling again a week ago after years of abstinence and have done 10 miles a day to start out with until yesterday where I upped the daily intake to 25 mile rides a day. Planning on spinning 50 mile rides on Saturday and Sunday.

I'm really wondering if I can get ready for a 160 mile haul until July 15th. My mind goes back and forth between "Sure you can, just take it slow and easy and finish in 11 hours" and "Your completely nuts, you're nowhere were you used to be 12 years ago"

Anyone with some similar experiences?

Decisions, decisions...

Thomas

tough call. think you can get a century ride in within three weeks? if so, i think you could "make it", but it may not be pretty. don't want to set yourself up for injury! a year off is a good bit of time. have you been running/swimming or otherwise?

there is a double century i'm eyeballing for when i do a trip out to PA in august. RAIN could be the perfect trainer for that event, if i get the balls to try it.

Psimet2001

06-20-07, 01:23 PM

I was also planning on attending RAIN.. but i'm still wondering if this is just pure insanity or if I can really build up that much endurance in such a short time. I've just started cycling again a week ago after years of abstinence and have done 10 miles a day to start out with until yesterday where I upped the daily intake to 25 mile rides a day. Planning on spinning 50 mile rides on Saturday and Sunday.

I'm really wondering if I can get ready for a 160 mile haul until July 15th. My mind goes back and forth between "Sure you can, just take it slow and easy and finish in 11 hours" and "Your completely nuts, you're nowhere were you used to be 12 years ago"

Anyone with some similar experiences?

Decisions, decisions...

Thomas

Ehhh....That's kind of pushing it. If you were a fairly accomplished rider before the break then I say it's possible. Bring a light just in case. BTW - I believe I have finished in around 11 hours before and that's with plenty of training. You'd be amazed at how the breaks add up over that long of a haul....even if you try to keep them short.

PacersGuy

06-20-07, 01:34 PM

You'd be amazed at how the breaks add up over that long of a haul....even if you try to keep them short.

+1 to that! just taking quicker breaks will get me much closer to goal time for this year. you'd think that i was having a barbeque at a couple of stops!

PacersGuy

06-20-07, 01:40 PM

Psimet2001

06-20-07, 02:25 PM

+1 to that! just taking quicker breaks will get me much closer to goal time for this year. you'd think that i was having a barbeque at a couple of stops!
HAHAHAHA!! - It's all the little ones. We stopped on the South side of Indy and sat in a yard in some shade for about 15-20 minutes just to cool down last year, and then we stopped again where you come back to US 40 and sat in the AC in the car just to cool down and get more water. That was probably 15-20 minutes as well. So that's 40 minutes that were lost to breaks outside of the rest stops.

....crazy. I wouldn't really want it any other way for last year though. Man that heat was brutal. I actually turned in a slower time last year than the year before. Temp played a huge role.

CyLowe97

06-20-07, 02:27 PM

Temp played a huge role.
That, plus the fact that you ride about as fast as a six year old on a BMX bike.

chipcom

06-20-07, 02:35 PM

So he's twice as fast as me? :eek:

Psimet2001

06-20-07, 02:39 PM

That, plus the fact that you ride about as fast as a six year old on a BMX bike.
Correct.

Psimet2001

06-20-07, 02:40 PM

So he's twice as fast as me? :eek:
Incorrect.

aham23

06-20-07, 02:45 PM

That, plus the fact that you ride about as fast as a six year old on a BMX bike.

wait you werent there last year. how did you know i rode it on a BMX bike? :D

later.

chipcom

06-20-07, 02:49 PM

You gonna let a crippled old fat man get a better time than you? Dambit, I need to find another wheel to suck shamelessly.

PacersGuy

06-20-07, 03:08 PM

....crazy. I wouldn't really want it any other way for last year though. Man that heat was brutal. I actually turned in a slower time last year than the year before. Temp played a huge role.

yeah, it was hotter 'n hell last year. i think that was the motivation for the flames on the jersey for this year!

let's see.. july in indiana.. yeah, it'll probably be hot.

chipcom

06-20-07, 05:45 PM

Better hot than storming with tornados and stuff, like it was when I visited Indy last summer.

PacersGuy

06-20-07, 05:56 PM

Better hot than storming with tornados and stuff, like it was when I visited Indy last summer.

true! seems that one brings the other, though. we've been pretty lucky so far this year with severe weather - meaning there has been very little.

so - who has long miles planned for the weekend? i'm gonna push it hard in my usual training ride tomorrow, and then do 70-100 on saturday. another century the following weekend, which will give me 6 or 7 so far this season.

chipcom

06-20-07, 06:02 PM

SmokinMiles

06-20-07, 06:30 PM

I dunno, looks I will be working the weekend. :( I got back on the bike today...just a real short ride of a couple miles at an easy spin to see how the back handled it. Riding was fine, though I could still feel a little twinge when I tested out of the saddle. Biggest problem was getting on and off the darn bike! I figure I can give it another test tomorrow, then hopefully start my commute again on Friday, get a few easy rides in over the weekend and try to get another century under my belt next weekend.

I'm still wondering how far out it's sensible to do a century ride before RAIN. (after reading the Dairyland thread I deem very few folks on this thread to be sensible! :D ) If I were preparing for a marathon or ultra, it would be 3 weeks before for my last long run. Seems though much more recovery is needed from long running efforts than biking efforts. I'm doing a 100 this Saturday (my very own century with some friends joining me) I'm still really up in the air about what my mileage should be after that. I did two 60+ milers last week and a century the weekend before that. I think I'm ready. I'm really best at tapering!!! ;)

Take care of that back...ouch, makes me hurt just reading about it. Crystal

R900

06-20-07, 07:05 PM

Hey guys, I've been signed up since reg opened. My wife (SAG) and I will be at the Drury Inn. I have about 2000 miles in since the first of the year, but since school is out (kids are home) my riding schedule is all messed up. I've done one centruy a couple weeks ago and hope to get 115 miles in Saturday but that might be it. My weekly mileage is really down the last couple weeks. I hope to ride with the faster local group from now until RAIN, they are all sub 7 hour RAIN riders. I'm hoping for 10 hours. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.

I think I've got my nutrition nailed, and will be using Hammer Perpetuem and a little Heed. I'll need to stop and stretch every hour or so, but hoping for the best. I added a seat Tri style carrier, so I'll carry 1 Perpetuem shake, and 3 waters (I think). I'll also have an assortment of bars/gel to snack on.

I've not done the RAIN before, but have worked the finish - very motivational. Just awesome to see the people come in after making it. The coolest was a 71 year old in under 10 hours. It's also amazing how the people look, some come in fresh and looking like they are rolling down a rail/trail, others look totally spent, leaving everything on the table. Last year was a bear hot, and not much tailwind, a few even reported some headwind. I'm not really a century rider, as I like my fifty milers, over that just gets to be a long time on the bike for me. But I live in Indiana so I got to do the RAIN!

I need to get the bike to the shop, rear wheel needs a little work and a new tire, I'm also think of swapping chains, as my current has about 2,500 miles - figure best to do before the ride.

I'd love to meet a group of BF'ers (just met a couple last night on the RAAM ride), not sure what pace you guys ride. My centruy a couple weeks ago was slow, but it was hilling, a loop, and solo. I hope with a group, (please God) a tailwind, and doing the RAIN will help my speed, otherwise I won't make my 10 hour goal.

I'll start watching this forum for info and if it's possible to meet. chipcom in the flesh, now that would be somthing...

Psimet2001

06-20-07, 07:45 PM

Hey guys, I've been signed up since reg opened. My wife (SAG) and I will be at the Drury Inn. I have about 2000 miles in since the first of the year, but since school is out (kids are home) my riding schedule is all messed up. I've done one centruy a couple weeks ago and hope to get 115 miles in Saturday but that might be it. My weekly mileage is really down the last couple weeks. I hope to ride with the faster local group from now until RAIN, they are all sub 7 hour RAIN riders. I'm hoping for 10 hours. A headwind would really be painful.

I think I've got my nutrition nailed, and will be using Hammer Perpetuem and a little Heed. I'll need to stop and stretch every hour or so, but hoping for the best. I added a seat Tri style carrier, so I'll carry 1 Perpetuem shake, and 3 waters (I think). I'll also have an assortment of bars/gel to snack on.

I've not done the RAIN before, but have worked the finish - very motivational. Just awesome to see the people come in after making it. The coolest was a 71 year old in under 10 hours. It's also amazing how the people look, some come in fresh and looking like they are rolling down a rail/trail, others look totally spent, leaving everything on the table. Last year was a bear hot, and not much tailwind, a few even reported some headwind. I'm not really a century rider, as I like my fifty milers, over that just gets to be a long time on the bike for me. But I live in Indiana so I got to do the RAIN!

I need to get the bike to the shop, rear wheel needs a little work and a new tire, I'm also think of swapping chains, as my current has about 2,500 miles - figure best to do before the ride.

I'd love to meet a group of BF'ers (just met a couple last night on the RAAM ride), not sure what pace you guys ride. My centruy a couple weeks ago was slow, but it was hilling, a loop, and solo. I hope with a group, (please God) a tailwind, and doing the RAIN will help my speed, otherwise I won't make my 10 hour goal.

I'll start watching this forum for info and if it's possible to meet. chipcom in the flesh, now that would be somthing...
A pox on you for mentioning this word.....let us make a pact to never speak of it again and I will remove the pox.

;)

+1,000 to meeting up. It's a long day in the saddle so riding together as a group may not happen for the whole day, but the rollout in the morning goes at a nasty fast clip without much effort. At least the night before we need to meet up.

Chipcom in the flesh....this will be so much better than the magazine....

R900 - from what I remember reading about your riding from earlier posts I think you'd be surprised with how fast you end up riding. I've said it before, but the RAIN is usually one of the fastest rides I do all year in terms of "average speed".

Unless of course R900 has jinxed us....*grumble*

chipcom

06-20-07, 07:58 PM

I'm still torn on what to wear. The black evening gown matches my helmet, but I've gotten rave "OMFG!"s in my see thru nighty.

Psimet2001

06-20-07, 08:00 PM

I'm still torn on what to wear. The black evening gown matches my helmet, but I've gotten rave "OMFG!"s in my see thru nighty.
Well whatever you pick will be just fine. As for the "OMFG!"s I'm sure you'll utter a few of those along the way...:D

PacersGuy

06-20-07, 08:01 PM

I'm still torn on what to wear. The black evening gown matches my helmet, but I've gotten rave "OMFG!"s in my see thru nighty.

go with the nighty... i think the gown will be overkill for the pasta dinner.

R900

06-20-07, 08:13 PM

Ok, I edited my post. The A group out of Richmond, can be really fast, the cool thing they always loop back for me. I hope to continue to ride with them at least until the RAIN. Should help me some.

So what happens Friday night? Is that a good time to meet? We don't have any plans, but I'm not sure how early we'll get there - depends on how early the folks can come watch the kids :)

CyLowe97

06-20-07, 08:17 PM

Unless of course R900 has jinxed us....*grumble*
And aham23 cannot wear his RAIN jersey. A whole lot of good that did us 75 miles into the Udder Century.

Psimet, on the other hand, the 2005 RAIN jersey is always in fashion for group rides.

chipcom, wear whatever you want. I'll just be picturing you like this:

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/7713/chipou7.jpg