Charity Events - LiveSTRONG Challenge – Philadelphia, PA 2008

OK, so I'm curious and don't feel like re-reading the whole thread again..

Is there anybody besides me doing the 70 and what are the chances of a BF members meet-up before the ride?

Don't know who's doing the 70... but... I think it would be cool for everyone from BF to meet up before the ride and take a group shot, then head off to our respective distances. If they set it up like last year, it will be easy to meet up at the back of one of the distance gathering areas since they're all next to each other (large parking lot areas) We could meet at the back of the 100 area since the 100 folks go out first. Those doing the same distance can roll out together with no pressure to hang with those faster or slower once you're out on the course. We could meet up at the end too for a beer (or water).

We could meet up at the end too for a beer (or water).
Sounds good. Maybe the day before at the Village too? During packet pick-up or something?

Water it is for me! :lol:

I'm going to do the 100, but it will have to be at my own pace. Therefore, I doubt anyone would want to wait for me to finish before having the beer (or water)! :) However I'm all for a group photo at the start.

I'm totally down for a meet-up...especially afterwards for beer(s)!

blavelle - a relative of Dan's, I assume? Welcome! :beer:

On a totally different note, does anyone recall the scene in A Fish Called Wanda where Otto and Wanda open the safe, only to discover that the jewels have been stolen? Otto leaps up and shouts, "Disappointed!!!" That's kind of how I felt after spending a bit of time today composing an update e-mail to send out for the Challenge, and a computer glitch ate the template! :crash: Oh well, I'll go out to ride and do it again when I get back! :)

http://www.whatdvd.net/WhatDVD-Graphics/main/92.jpg

"Don't call me 'stupid'!!!" :lol:

We're just about a month away... how's everyone's summer going? How's the riding? I'm just hoping it won't be as hot as this past weekend the day of the ride... Ugh.

I actually haven't been riding much in the past couple days because of the darned heat. I did pull off 54 miles one day last week (.05 miles away from 55). Thing is, where I've been training it's mostly flat. I'm still unsure about the mountains! I think we're going to drive the course early next month because we'll be in the area looking at a college for my younger brother. At least I'll get to see it before I ride it.

Darned heat, darned flats.

I haven't seen any sign of those new jerseys\bibs by the way. :?

Tonight I went out for a training ride and it was 94 degrees. About 5 miles from home it down poured. Not the best of rides but I guess it's better than not riding at all. Training is going well but it's hard to find time some weeks. I was hoping to average 100 + miles a week but I seem to be stuck around 75 miles a week.

been racing a ton, putting in lots of 200+ mile weeks...

also been out with the LAF and Medalist Sports to help organize the event, its going to be another very successful year! Looking forward to it. Hopefully I'll have some more donation money rolling my team's way in the next two weeks, as well we've signed almost 20 people up to "Spin For Nance"

Only 47 ride spots left.
http://www.livestrongchallenge.org/site/c.frKPI1PAIoE/b.3935395/

Hello everyone,

I will also be doing the 70 mile ride in Philly this year (completed the 40 miler last year) and would be interested in meeting up before the ride. After the ride, I am going straight for the food. Had to wait last year for the wife and children to join me (I thought my stomach would eat itself).

Only 47 ride spots left.
http://www.livestrongchallenge.org/site/c.frKPI1PAIoE/b.3935395/

Are you sure about that? Yesterday it said that there were 33 spots left. I'm sure of that, because I had put it in an update letter to send to potential sponsors. The listing today almost looks like -47, as if it went to 47 over the 1,000 rider cut off. Dan, any insights?

I was out for a 60 mile ride Sunday evening. I started late in the afternoon, hoping for slightly cooler temperatures and diminishing winds. Instead the winds whipped up as a storm rolled in, creating a ferocious headwind for the return trip. I finished after dark, in the rain. At least the flashes of lightning helped to illuminate the road! :twitchy: I will be ready for the 100 mile ride, but I won't be setting any land speed records.

Are you sure about that? Yesterday it said that there were 33 spots left. I'm sure of that, because I had put it in an update letter to send to potential sponsors. The listing today almost looks like -47, as if it went to 47 over the 1,000 rider cut off. Dan, any insights?

I was out for a 60 mile ride Sunday evening. I started late in the afternoon, hoping for slightly cooler temperatures and diminishing winds. Instead the winds whipped up as a storm rolled in, creating a ferocious headwind for the return trip. I finished after dark, in the rain. At least the flashes of lightning helped to illuminate the road! :twitchy: I will be ready for the 100 mile ride, but I won't be setting any land speed records.
Now that I look at it, it does look like -47. If there were only 33 spots open yesterday I might be possible that they went over.

Interesting... maybe they take away from the runner/walker spots if the ride spots go over like that. I guess they only made so many T-shirts :)

Either way, it should be a fantastic turn out if there's overflow like that. I'm ready to ride. I'm trying to get some friends to walk... I walked 2 years ago with a broken wrist, 2 weeks after surgery, on 3hrs sleep, in work boots (on many, many pain killers)... if I can do it like that, anyone can :D

Me in the shades:
http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/1205/2006091008085x112wn1.jpghttp://img112.imageshack.us/img112/5323/2006091008180x110ua3.jpg

Damn... I need to lose some weight... I'm about 15lbs over what I was then.. ugh (it's all leg muscle though :lol:)

Are you sure about that? Yesterday it said that there were 33 spots left. I'm sure of that, because I had put it in an update letter to send to potential sponsors. The listing today almost looks like -47, as if it went to 47 over the 1,000 rider cut off. Dan, any insights?

I was out for a 60 mile ride Sunday evening. I started late in the afternoon, hoping for slightly cooler temperatures and diminishing winds. Instead the winds whipped up as a storm rolled in, creating a ferocious headwind for the return trip. I finished after dark, in the rain. At least the flashes of lightning helped to illuminate the road! :twitchy: I will be ready for the 100 mile ride, but I won't be setting any land speed records.

Sent an email out...will update everyone ASAP when I hear back

My experience is that they make the cutoff X amount of riders, but always budget for X+100 or so...so there is room, they just need to workout the logistics before they re-open registration. No worries

I just got an email from the LS store saying my shipment of 30 adult and 20 youth wrist bands are on their way (the free ones they mentioned in a newsletter a while back). I already have 20 of each sitting in a drawer... I'm going to have wristband overload :eek:! Most people don't want to wear them - but I'm going to offer them again anyway in my next email update.

There is now 900 spots left for the ride...no worries ya'll. Like I said before, they usually allot a certain amount of entrants every week and then re-open once they work out the current logistics

I just got an email from the LS store saying my shipment of 30 adult and 20 youth wrist bands are on their way (the free ones they mentioned in a newsletter a while back). I already have 20 of each sitting in a drawer... I'm going to have wristband overload :eek:! Most people don't want to wear them - but I'm going to offer them again anyway in my next email update.

I ordered a set of 50 adult from the My.LIVESTRONG page 2 days after the newsletter came out but haven't even gotten an E-Mail confirmation and I'm getting a bit annoyed. I wanted to plan an event at the local park and use these to give away for donations but when you hold a LIVESTRONG event without bracelets, people look at you funny. :(

They said it would take 3 weeks for delivery. Now I can't even find that newsletter to figure out when exactly I put the order in. :twitchy:

When did you order, grahny?

Hey all, this will be my second year riding the Livestrong century route. Definitely looking forward to it! I've been training pretty hard all year, and I plan to get out and train on the course this weekend on Saturday. Anyone up for a meetup about 8AM? Or maybe you faster guys can start when you want and then catch up to me! Give me a shout if you're interested.

*sigh* I just got my shipping confirmation, but it says it's for 30 adult, 20 youth. I needed 50 adult. Why did they switch that? You can't say one thing and then do another... :(

When did you order, grahny?

I didn't order any actually, this is the 50 they said they were sending to all participants (from a few newsletters ago). From what I remember they just said they were sending '50' to each participant, but didn't mention adult vs. youth.

The youth size will fit a lot of adults too though, so I wouldn't sweat it.

So how is Philly doing?

I'm back on my long rides again. This past Sunday was a nice 90 miles, 4h 57m with a Total Ascent of 5138 ft. I loved it!!!! I was solo too……

I want to hammer the Philly Challenge this year. :D


Grahny, your fundraising is looking good! :thumb:

Hi, I am thinking of joining the Livestrong ride this year, right now I am riding 4 to 5 times a week with most rides between 20 and 25 miles with weekend rides of 35 to 40 miles with average speed around 17mph but not any real climbing (live in flat N.E. Ohio) have only started riding again the last 2 summers. How hard are the hills on the 45 mile route am I riding enough?

Hi, I am thinking of joining the Livestrong ride this year, right now I am riding 4 to 5 times a week with most rides between 20 and 25 miles with weekend rides of 35 to 40 miles with average speed around 17mph but not any real climbing (live in flat N.E. Ohio) have only started riding again the last 2 summers. How hard are the hills on the 45 mile route am I riding enough?

I think you'd be more than fine on the 45 mile route. I don't believe there are any 'climbs' per say like on the two longer routes, just rolling hills.

Definitely do it! :thumb:

Hey all, this will be my second year riding the Livestrong century route. Definitely looking forward to it! I've been training pretty hard all year, and I plan to get out and train on the course this weekend on Saturday. Anyone up for a meetup about 8AM? Or maybe you faster guys can start when you want and then catch up to me! Give me a shout if you're interested.

This might make a good training ride for tomorrow...

http://www.rivertoriverride.org/

This might make a good training ride for tomorrow...

http://www.rivertoriverride.org/

Yeah, definitely a good ride! I did that one when I weighed about 75 pounds more than I do now. It was pretty rough. Lots of climbing for sure. But at the moment I have zero cash to do supported rides and I am used to doing centuries on my own now anyway. I actually do a lot of the roads for the R2R on my regular rides, too. So doing the LS route will be some new scenery, and it's free!:D

Yeah, definitely a good ride! I did that one when I weighed about 75 pounds more than I do now. It was pretty rough. Lots of climbing for sure. But at the moment I have zero cash to do supported rides and I am used to doing centuries on my own now anyway. I actually do a lot of the roads for the R2R on my regular rides, too. So doing the LS route will be some new scenery, and it's free!:D

Free is good...my kids are volunteering at this so I could ride for free, but already paid. Oh well. I do a lot of the roads a little south of this ride so it will be a nice change. Need to get back in shape in time for LS...I've been off the bike for about 2 weeks with a bum shoulder, so not sure how far I'll go. :( See ya' out there sometime...I'll look for your ride report from tomorrow :D

My wife and I are signed up for the 70 miler, but we're both getting nervous: we're from Virginia Beach (flat) and have consistently done four metric centuries this spring/summer, several 40 miles, lots of 30's and twenties... we're both 50 and not used to hills.

I've read hear that the LAF site doesn't give help riders understand the "challenges" they face with the course.

Would anyone care to weigh in with some experience on the 70 and 45 from last year?

There is definitely a good amount of climbing on any of these routes, so try to get in as much climbing as you can to help you prepare. That being said, I think the biggest thing to help you complete the ride is your mindset going in - expect a slower average speed if you don't do a lot of hill climbing; just look forward to making it to each rest stop, then look for the next one. Expect it to be difficult, and it won't seem so bad as you ride.

Hey MnD, I put up a post on my blog about the ride. You can check the link in my signature. It was a pretty rough day!

If all goes well with work scheduling, I'll be trying the Philly Livestrong century route again this weekend. If anyone wants to join me, I'll be starting out around 7AM from MCCC on the 202.

My wife and I are signed up for the 70 miler, but we're both getting nervous: we're from Virginia Beach (flat) and have consistently done four metric centuries this spring/summer, several 40 miles, lots of 30's and twenties... we're both 50 and not used to hills.

I've read hear that the LAF site doesn't give help riders understand the "challenges" they face with the course.

Would anyone care to weigh in with some experience on the 70 and 45 from last year?

I think the 70mi route had 1 of the 2 big climbs, and the 40mi route didn't have either of the 2 big climbs, but just lots of hills. Just know your limits and stay within them, climb slow, and like uncadan8 said, a lot of it is mindset. The big climb on the 70 if I recall is about 2 miles averaging around 8% and was around the 30 mile mark... although I could be a little off - all I remember about the first climb last year was taking it waaaay too fast and almost tossing my cookies at the top :)

I met a girl in the parking lot afterward last year that did the 40 with, if I recall, only having done riding on short flat routes with little to no hills prior. She said it was really tough for her, but rewarding (and she was on a the infamous GNC Denali road bike too :eek: :D). So given that you have the stamina/endurance for the distance, the hills will definitely add the 'challenge' aspect, but it's doable if you ride smart. Work on the hills, recover on the descents, keep a steady, comfortable pace on the flats. Don't worry about speed and time as much.

Well, I am officially out of riding the LiveStrong Challenge this year. At roughly 5:30 am Tues. morning I was out on a training ride and my rear wheel locked up. Down I went dislocating, and fracturing my left elbow. Hopefully I can get the splint off in time to do the 5K walk instead.

Hope everyone has a good time at the LiveStrong challenge and I will definitely be there next year.

Morgolf.

Well, I am officially out of riding the LiveStrong Challenge this year. At roughly 5:30 am Tues. morning I was out on a training ride and my rear wheel locked up. Down I went dislocating, and fracturing my left elbow. Hopefully I can get the splint off in time to do the 5K walk instead.

Hope everyone has a good time at the LiveStrong challenge and I will definitely be there next year.

Morgolf.

That sucks! Sorry to hear - get better.

FWIW... 2 weeks after surgery, on many percocets and no sleep ;).... http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=7112019&postcount=114

Oddly enough, I broke a spoke on Tue morning, locking up my rear wheel, and almost took a header but was able to stay up right - literally coming out of doing 2x20 intervals. If it happened about 30 seconds sooner at the higher speeds I was riding at I would have hit hard.

That sucks! Sorry to hear - get better.

FWIW... 2 weeks after surgery, on many percocets and no sleep ;).... http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=7112019&postcount=114

Oddly enough, I broke a spoke on Tue morning, locking up my rear wheel, and almost took a header but was able to stay up right - literally coming out of doing 2x20 intervals. If it happened about 30 seconds sooner at the higher speeds I was riding at I would have hit hard.


Thanks grahny. I will contact the LiveStrong Challenge people and see if I can switch over. I really want to be a part of it this year. Last year was wonderful and want to continue on this year.

This has not been a good year for riding for me. I missed the Delaware doublecross because of blown tires/tubes, suffered through ankle tendonitis earlier in the year and now have this injury. Bah, next year better be good :notamused:.

Glad to hear that you did not get hurt on Tuesday morning like me. Good luck and have fun at the LiveStrong Challenge.
:)

Thanks grahny. I will contact the LiveStrong Challenge people and see if I can switch over. I really want to be a part of it this year. Last year was wonderful and want to continue on this year.

Would you perhaps be able to switch to the Austin event instead? Regardless, sorry to hear about the accident, and I hope you have a speedy recovery.

My wife and I are signed up for the 70 miler, but we're both getting nervous: we're from Virginia Beach (flat) and have consistently done four metric centuries this spring/summer, several 40 miles, lots of 30's and twenties... we're both 50 and not used to hills.

I've read hear that the LAF site doesn't give help riders understand the "challenges" they face with the course.

Would anyone care to weigh in with some experience on the 70 and 45 from last year?

I haven't ridden the course before, but I have grown up in the southeastern PA area. Yes, the area can be hilly, and one of the phrases I've heard repeatedly about the course is that, "It's called the LiveStrong Challenge for a reason"! Heck, I even put the phrase on my LiveStrong Challenge homepage!

The suggestions about expecting a slower average speed, pacing yourself on the flats, and focusing on making it to one rest stop at a time are all good suggestions. The biggest thing I would emphasize is to climb at your own pace. If a pair of people are riding together, and one is a stronger climber, the other rider may get burned out rather quickly. I would suggest planning to either: a) split up and ride with other people along the way, or b) plan for one person to wait for the other at the top of the hills. The course profile looks rather undulating, and the stress of going above one's "red line" could quickly accumulate.

The point about focusing on one rest stop at a time is also excellent. The stops on the LiveStrong Challenge generally appear to be about 10 miles apart, which is a very manageable distance. I did the Assault on Mt. Mitchell (http://www.freewheelers.info/assault.html) in 1997. The course is 102 miles, with a 30 mile climb at the end. Around here, most of the climbs are less than a mile long. If I wanted mountain climbs, I drove out to State College (PA) to do climbs of 2 to 5 miles. However there was nothing like a 30 mile climb anywhere near here. When I did the Mt. Mitchell ride, I just broke it down and focused on getting to the next rest stop, then repeating. In fact, that's how I approach most centuries. Mentally it is easier to tackle several consecutive rides of 15 - 25 miles, than to face one ride of 70 to 100 miles or more.

When you are riding in the VA area, do you consistently use your lowest gears? If so, you might want to look at getting some lower gearing for this ride. A different cassette, longer chain, and maybe a new rear derailleur may be all that you need. The worst case scenario might involve a different crankset, different derailleurs, and a new bottom bracket spindle. But that will all depend on how much lower you might want to go, and a shop can help you with it.

There are cheering stations set up along the course, and I am sure there will be plenty of encouragement from other riders. I am sure you can do it if you just pace yourselves accordingly. Just think of how satisfied you'll be at the finish! :thumb:

I signup up for the 100 mile course at the LSC, realistically what do you think my chances of completing it are?
My training stats for July.
312 miles and 17,256 feet of climbing with an average speed of 15.1. These numbers are from my edge 305.
Now I know these are not the best of training stats for a month but it is what it is. I was hoping to do 400 + miles but was unable to find the time. For the weeks leading up to the challenge I will be logging as many miles as possible. I’m hoping 100+ a week. My longest ride to date is 40 miles but I did it without taking a break and felt pretty good at the end. The single longest climb I have done is 3 miles. I have done plenty of 1 miles climbs and a few 3 miles climbs. On Aug 17 I'm doing the Lancaster metric as a test to see if I am ready. I have the will power to complete the 100 but I'm not sure if my body is ready.

An update on the course: it's still hilly! Rode out to MCCC the other day from Center City, did the 40 mile loop, then rode home...I was VERY thankful for the water fountain at the park near Landis Road. Some of the roads have been repaved and some of them are still a bit rocky in parts, but nothing horrible to report.

I've also just registered for a race on Saturday, a 40K crit that has a reputation for being wicked fast...so that should make for a fun Sunday ride hahah.

How is everyone doing both fundraising and training? Just about two weeks now

An update on the course: it's still hilly! Rode out to MCCC the other day from Center City, did the 40 mile loop, then rode home...I was VERY thankful for the water fountain at the park near Landis Road. Some of the roads have been repaved and some of them are still a bit rocky in parts, but nothing horrible to report.

I've also just registered for a race on Saturday, a 40K crit that has a reputation for being wicked fast...so that should make for a fun Sunday ride hahah.

How is everyone doing both fundraising and training? Just about two weeks now

I went out to PA with my family and drove the 70 mi. course (as secondary business) on Wednesday. I'm getting the feeling I'm going to be spent at mile 10 or something.

Fundraising: $1,270
Training: not enough. :twitchy:

I'm screwed :D

Fundraising going well.... the bike though? Yet another broken spoke today. That's two spokes in 10 days... :wtf: (I sold my back up wheels 3 months ago :o)
My 'training' is soooooo lacking for this century, but I could care less. I'll just suffer through it as I did last year. I'm still pretty excited about the ride though. Now if I could only find a way to sneak my ipod in :innocent:

BTW... for those worried about the ride, remember - get out front and draft off the stronger riders for the first flat/rolling 20 miles... then it's just an 80 mile hilly ride ;)

I'm screwed :D

Fundraising going well.... the bike though? Yet another broken spoke today. That's two spokes in 10 days... :wtf: (I sold my back up wheels 3 months ago :o)
My 'training' is soooooo lacking for this century, but I could care less. I'll just suffer through it as I did last year. I'm still pretty excited about the ride though. Now if I could only find a way to sneak my ipod in :innocent:

BTW... for those worried about the ride, remember - get out front and draft off the stronger riders for the first flat/rolling 20 miles... then it's just an 80 mile hilly ride ;)

I just left my ipod in my pocket and pulled it out later. It's the only thing that gets me through sometimes.
I am debating doing the 70 or the 100. I know I haven't got the hill training in like I usually do because of a sprained tail bone that I had back in the spring. I guess I will see how I feel that day. I'll make the decision at the turn off to the 70 mile route, I suppose.

I've had mixed results so far. My fund raising has picked up a bit, and some family members will be contributing soon. I will be pleasantly surprised if I meet my goal of $2,500, but I should clear at least $1,000.

The training has been a bit rougher. I completed a 70 mile ride about 2 weeks ago. Unfortunately I have been sick for the last week and a half or so, and I haven't done any training at all. I'm on antibiotics, and I'm trying to rest as much as possible to get over what's been bugging me (sore throat, swollen neck, fatigue). I'm still planning to do the 100, but I will need to go slowly and pace myself. I've done enough centuries over the years that I'm hoping to get by based on previous experience. Right now I'm the lightest I've been in the last 4 years (still more to go!), so I figure that's going to be a benefit as well.

Fundraising is going well. I broke the $3000 mark so I guess I get to go to the pasta dinner with Lance on sat. Should be a great weekend. Now I just hope I am strong enough to complete the 100.

My fund raising is going o.k. ... I should break $1000. Last year I raised $2750, so this year I'm a little disappointed.:(

My training is going well ... I spent the winter weight training my legs (lots of squats), and this year my climbing is exceptional. I carry 235 lbs. up every climb, so I'm not talking KOM here, but I can climb hill after hill and still feel good at the end of the ride. I just did a 72 mile hilly ride last week, and knew I could have done another 30 if I had to.

The sad part is, I grew up in NW Jersey, and every direction I rode in were big hills, now I'm in central Jersey, and I have to drive my bike to the hilly areas to train ... BUT, 30 years of training in the hills must have built up a good set of climbing legs (for a Clydesdale).:thumb:

If anyone wants to meet up at the start and ride together for a while, PM me. I'm doing the 100. I'm not fast, but I always finish ...:D

Dan - any insight into if the start will be handled like last year again?

We can set up a place to meet based on how things are supposed to be set up (I'm still thinking front or back of the 100 mile group - last year they let everyone gather, then they rolled you out to the starting area when it was time).

as i remember the corral's were set up left to right with the left most being the closest to the finish line... so it went 100, 75 40 etc...

I will meet up with yous maybe we can meet up if you raised enough moolah on sat night at the pasta and gravy dinner ... :-)

Dan - any insight into if the start will be handled like last year again?

We can set up a place to meet based on how things are supposed to be set up (I'm still thinking front or back of the 100 mile group - last year they let everyone gather, then they rolled you out to the starting area when it was time).

I haven't heard anything different yet, so I assume it will be the same kind of set up. I am planning to do the hundred for now and don't plan to join the fast group this year. No point, haha! So yeah, if you want to meet up that would be great!

11 days left until the challenge; do you know where your legs are?

11 days left until the challenge; do you know where your legs are?

Legs? LEGS?!?! Lemme see, I think I have a set around here somewhere...:roflmao2:

Thanks for the invitation, but I'm not going to support a guy who made and continues to make millions off of his Tour wins, when he tested positive for multiple banned substances. Not the heart of a champion in my books.

Come on Greg....give it up. You're still considered one of the top US cyclists....be happy with that!

Come on Greg....give it up. You're still considered one of the top US cyclists....be happy with that!

:lol::lol::lol: