Great Lakes - RAIN Update

Let's start some chatter.

Putting on some new pedals tonight. I will test them on Tuesday. Luckily they are still Speedplays so I will not be changing the base or the positions...just that actual cleats.

Guys with me plan on your nutrition logistics as though you are only using yourself and rest stops. Not saying SAG won't be available, but it's looking more like it will only be there for emergencies if possible.

cliff bar. hammer. oreo cookies. done.

later.

Let's start some chatter.

Putting on some new pedals tonight. I will test them on Tuesday. Luckily they are still Speedplays so I will not be changing the base or the positions...just that actual cleats.

Guys with me plan on your nutrition logistics as though you are only using yourself and rest stops. Not saying SAG won't be available, but it's looking more like it will only be there for emergencies if possible.

Hmmm, since aham23 is so lean and dosen't eat much, I was planning on him carrying my nutrional needs for me. After all his jersey pocket will be almost empty. :D

I'm a shot block junkie myself, plus a handful of gels (with that secret added extra, caffeine). Maybe a few bars. And since it's looking like it's gonna be a hot one, maybe a 55 gallon drum of water. Oh yeah, and a tray of ice cubes. Does the map that show all the air-conditioned rest stops? And the masseuse services?

Aham23, Psimet2001, and JT1, are you guys planning front-of-the-pack blast-off with the speed demons? 'Cause I want to make sure I don't burn out early. And as much as I'm ready for the ride ovreall, I'm not in shape to last 160 if I try to stay with you if you're rolling fast and trying for PB's.

I'm a shot block junkie myself, plus a handful of gels (with that secret added extra, caffeine). Maybe a few bars. And since it's looking like it's gonna be a hot one, maybe a 55 gallon drum of water. Oh yeah, and a tray of ice cubes. Does the map that show all the air-conditioned rest stops? And the masseuse services?

Aham23, Psimet2001, and JT1, are you guys planning front-of-the-pack blast-off with the speed demons? 'Cause I want to make sure I don't burn out early. And as much as I'm ready for the ride ovreall, I'm not in shape to last 160 if I try to stay with you if you're rolling fast and trying for PB's.


i like what we did last year. arrived a bit early and positioned the bunch around 15 rows deep of the start line. it got us through town with the police escort, meaning no stopping at traffic lights. it was fast, but not too fast. its such a large group you just need to tuck in and hang on. the super fast dudes will blast off that group anyway. later.

Hmmm, since aham23 is so lean and dosen't eat much, I was planning on him carrying my nutrional needs for me. After all his jersey pocket will be almost empty. :D


no can do. i am going super light in an all out effort to smash last years time. this means only 1 cliff bar, 1 hammer espresso gel, & four oreos.

later.

I have offered Joboo three CO2 cartridges, three gels, three tubes, and three packets of Heed.

May Joboo bring strong tailwinds to your sojourn across the Hoosier State.


http://detectovision.com/pics/jobu2.jpg

Voldy...we'll be showing up early to get to the front. Being at the front is a great help on this one.

The first time I rode this ride I finished it. That year I was at least 30 lbs heavier and it was still both the longest AND the fastest ride I did that year. Riding from West to East helps a lot more than you think.

Don't worry about finishing. Ride with the group. If people go and you can't hold then ride your own ride, but remember this....it is 160 miles. Everyone rides alone at some point. The faster you go in the beginning, the longer you stay with a pack doing good time....the shorter the eventual suffer session is.

I committed the cardinal sin - I changes my pedals/cleats last night. I went from Speedplay X to Speedplay Zeros. Should have been a no-brianer change - don't even need to move the bases, but everything was not perfect. The lower float of the Zero pointed out a misposition on the left cleat. Had to move the base....all bets are off now. :(

Just glanced at the weather....I know better, but I still did.

May...be....hot. Imagine that. After riding in Alabama for a week I am ready for hot....and rain if need be.

Don't worry about finishing. Ride with the group. If people go and you can't hold then ride your own ride, but remember this....it is 160 miles. Everyone rides alone at some point. The faster you go in the beginning, the longer you stay with a pack doing good time....the shorter the eventual suffer session is.




Totally agree with Psimet on this one. Start near the front, and hang on. The first 40 miles goes by really fast. I think last year we averaged 27mph to the first stop. There's a SSW wind at 11mph forecasted for Saturday so that should help. It's supposed to be 91 deg so I'm going to try to get as far as I can before it gets real hot. If you lose the group you're riding with, never fear, there's usually someone coming up behind you to join if you want to. Last year for me was a mix of various groups/solo riding for the last 100 miles.

Psi- good luck getting your cleat positioned correctly. As for me, I need to fix my BB creaking. Don't need to be hearing that for eight hours now do I?

I'm hurting this year! I did 95 miles yesterday (long for the year), started strong with a group, but really faded the second half. I live in Richmond so did reverse mini RAIN, wind was from the East - WTF. Anyway, hoping for better ride next week. Lots of water, some Hammer stuff, and baked potato at lunch - awesome SAG!

I agree starting near the front helps, we'll plan on getting there early and being about the same place. Now that I know what some of you look like, I'll say hello and grab your wheel :)

P.S. On the BB creak - check the cassette, if it's loose it can sound like a BB.

no can do. i am going super light in an all out effort to smash last years time. this means only 1 cliff bar, 1 hammer espresso gel, & four oreos.

later.

Oh well, I guess I need to bring my backpack. :)

My vacation planes are canceled!!! No upstate NY trip on July 12-20. Bro-in-law can't go and he's kinda the trip planner. Yeeeeehaw! RAIN, here I come! I mean, upstate NY is nice... but RAIN.. I mean, come on, not even close.

I've signed up the minute I heard about the cancellation :innocent:

My vacation planes are canceled!!! No upstate NY trip on July 12-20. Bro-in-law can't go and he's kinda the trip planner. Yeeeeehaw! RAIN, here I come! I mean, upstate NY is nice... but RAIN.. I mean, come on, not even close.

I've signed up the minute I heard about the cancellation :innocent:

That is the awesome. I assume we will meet up the night before? You will be pulling across the whole state correct?

;) :thumb:

That is the awesome. I assume we will meet up the night before? You will be pulling across the whole state correct?

;) :thumb:

Haha.. I was humbled by aham23 during our July 4th ride in a way that I'm planing being a sucker, a wheel sucker to be exact :o

Somehow I have a feeling the 100 mile ride I did a few weeks ago at an avg of 19.8mph must have been due to a broken Garmin and a broken watch. Or some weird statistical outlier which happens once in a lifetime.

Oh, yeah.. I'm planning on getting there the night before. But I think I'm simply going to sleep in my minivan... unless the wife needs the van then a room will do.

cool and the gang.

i should be ready. i normally get stronger as these types of rides progress. after some oreo cookies at the lunch stop (100 miles) i should be ready to drope the hamer. we are going to have a solid bunch again this year. if there is a hint of a tailwind it will be an all out effort for sure.

later.

Kinda looks like it will be hot and nasty with a normal tailwind. Normal conditions return.

Psimet...the Eeyore of BFNIC :rolleyes:

Are we all exchanging numbers again, or just look for the motley bunch near the front? Who all is wearing their BFNIC jerseys?

I'll probably wear a BFNIC jersey.

nvr - I still have your cell programmed into my cell if it hasn't changed. You know where we plan to be and when. We can post more specifics the night before, etc.

I'll probably wear a BFNIC jersey.

nvr - I still have your cell programmed into my cell if it hasn't changed. You know where we plan to be and when. We can post more specifics the night before, etc.

Checking in from Boulder, Co, to say GOOD LUCK to you all!!!! I will miss being there but will muddle along here in the Rockies as best as I can. ;)

I am thinking of you all EVERY DAY here. The cycling is beyond fabulous. You would all love it. We would have such fun out here riding the Rockies together. I am averaging about 70 miles/day out here and doing a fair amount of running/hiking. Other reason I love Boulder...that still puts me on the low end in terms of mileage in relation to a lot of folks that are out here. This town loves its endurance sports.

Anyhoo...I'll be home around July 20 from this paradise (which I'm planning to call home in a few years) and will look forward to hearing all about RAIN

Voldemort, DON'T GO OUT TOO FAST.....DON'T GO OUT TOO FAST....DON'T GO OUT TOO FAST!!!!!! LISTEN TO THE VOICE OF REASON!!!!! You can always put the hammer down the last 60 miles. If it's hot, that will be an additional stress.

I'll be thinking of you all on Saturday and channeling my chakra to you all!!!!! :thumb: Crystal

Checking in from Boulder, Co, to say GOOD LUCK to you all!!!! I will miss being there but will muddle along here in the Rockies as best as I can. ;)

I am thinking of you all EVERY DAY here. The cycling is beyond fabulous. You would all love it. We would have such fun out here riding the Rockies together. I am averaging about 70 miles/day out here and doing a fair amount of running/hiking. Other reason I love Boulder...that still puts me on the low end in terms of mileage in relation to a lot of folks that are out here. This town loves its endurance sports.

Anyhoo...I'll be home around July 20 from this paradise (which I'm planning to call home in a few years) and will look forward to hearing all about RAIN

Voldemort, DON'T GO OUT TOO FAST.....DON'T GO OUT TOO FAST....DON'T GO OUT TOO FAST!!!!!! LISTEN TO THE VOICE OF REASON!!!!! You can always put the hammer down the last 60 miles. If it's hot, that will be an additional stress.

I'll be thinking of you all on Saturday and channeling my chakra to you all!!!!! :thumb: Crystal


You have a license for that?

The first time I rode this ride I finished it. That year I was at least 30 lbs heavier and it was still both the longest AND the fastest ride I did that year. Riding from West to East helps a lot more than you think.



you give me hope here Psimet. I just want to finish, upright and moving forward, in the allotted time. I'll be starting at the back of the pack.

I hope your cleats and pedal work out for you.

I'm not supposed to try anything new, but those shot blocks sound like a good thing. The caffeine component is what I'm thinking would be nice to have as the day progresses.

Colleen

momof...you'll have no problems. I was ultra worried before my first one, but then you realize that all distances over say...60 miles are all about the same to your body.

Word of advice for firt-timers...keep the stops short. It is so tempting sometimes to make lounge longer at these stops than you do normally, but with such a great amount of distance to cover a small increase in time at the stops has a HUGE impact on you overall time.

It would really upset you if you got to the end and finished outside the "official" time by 10 or 15 minutes and then realize you spent 3 hours at the stops. :eek:

Seriously it is easy to put on the time at the stops....more so than normal.

Last year we pretty much banged out the stops - water, food, go. Much to my dismay at first. Then getting to the end we still had something like almost 2 hours of stop time (total pulled that out of nowhere, but I am sure it is in the threads from last year). My point is it sneaks up on you.

^^^^ unless you stopped a bunch after lunch 2 hours seems high.

last year i had around an hour stopped time. total time was like 8h 35min (7h 35min ride time). i only stopped at the designated rest stops. i think there are 4. besides the lunch stop we were in and out. unless things go bad for me i plan the same approach. except a faster lunch. oreos and brown sugar poptarts to go please :).

later.

Thanks for all of the advice in the thread. This too will be my first RAIN. Getting dropped off in the morning
by a relative. Will be leaving Indianapolis around 5:00am or so. Been riding less than 3 months but I knocked off 110 miles around a month ago. 50 with a group and the rest back to my house. My whole goal is to finish the ride in around 10 hours. Nothing spectacular but I just want to get it done really.

I'd rather not spend a ton of time alone as I can sometimes let myself relax without paying attention. Hopefully I can just find a group at the start that is managing a simple 16/17/18mph pace that I can roll with for most of the day.


Alex

So guys, how do you recover from food poisoning? It me last night, lost about 6 lbs, now just feel like a got kicked in the gut. Gives me 3 days to recover.

So guys, how do you recover from food poisoning? It me last night, lost about 6 lbs, now just feel like a got kicked in the gut. Gives me 3 days to recover.

If you can stomach it and have it I woudl recommend drinking some recoverite. A couple servings a day. It will help replenish what you can and you might be surprised by the results.

Rode tonight with the new cleats.....booo. Even with the same base the platform and float have changed enough that I had some knee tension. Instead of trying to troubleshoot I think I'll just switch back to the onld pedals and cleats. They worked.

Just means more work for me. :(

starting to look like a slight cool down but a chance of thunderstorms.... but also a SSW (mostly) tail wind.... maybe not so bad...

^^^^ unless you stopped a bunch after lunch 2 hours seems high.

last year i had around an hour stopped time. total time was like 8h 35min (7h 35min ride time). i only stopped at the designated rest stops. i think there are 4. besides the lunch stop we were in and out. unless things go bad for me i plan the same approach. except a faster lunch. oreos and brown sugar poptarts to go please :).

later.

I just went back and looked. This is what I posted last year:

Total Time: 9:29:30 (off of my HRM which I forgot to stop for about 5-10 minutes after the end)
Ride Time: 7:52:54

I checked the website and they have me listed at 9:23.

That means I had 1:31 of stop time.

Just checked my first year stats:
Ride Time = 9:07
Total Time = 11:38 :eek:

2:30 of stop time.

The 1:31 averages out to like 18 minutes/stop. It adds up fast. In actuality it was mostly at the lunch and last stop. The other stops were held pretty short - I believe.

Voldemort, DON'T GO OUT TOO FAST.....DON'T GO OUT TOO FAST....DON'T GO OUT TOO FAST!!!!!! LISTEN TO THE VOICE OF REASON!!!!! You can always put the hammer down the last 60 miles. If it's hot, that will be an additional stress. Crystal

Methinks the lady may have a point. What say the peanut gallery?

P.S. I'll be breaking out the Beatles Sea of Holes jersey; lots of white to stay cool (er);)

P.P.S. SmokinMiles, the Fox River Trail is finished. Next time, all the way to Ringwood!:)

^^^^ hey Voldemort, just follow me and Psi. you will go out fast, but be drafting.

^^^^hey Psi, we had so many stops in 2006 due to the lack of tailwind, lack of fitness, and HEAT!!

fitness is no longer an issue for us. if aint 100 degrees then heat aint an issue. mother nature is the wild card. im going hard no matter what. its just what i do. :)

later.

If you can stomach it and have it I woudl recommend drinking some recoverite. A couple servings a day. It will help replenish what you can and you might be surprised by the results.

Rode tonight with the new cleats.....booo. Even with the same base the platform and float have changed enough that I had some knee tension. Instead of trying to troubleshoot I think I'll just switch back to the onld pedals and cleats. They worked.

Just means more work for me. :(

Sounds like a great breakfast! Thanks. Feeling better, but still a bit weak.

^^^^ hey Voldemort, just follow me and Psi. you will go out fast, but be drafting.

^^^^hey Psi, we had so many stops in 2006 due to the lack of tailwind, lack of fitness, and HEAT!!

fitness is no longer an issue for us. if aint 100 degrees then heat aint an issue. mother nature is the wild card. im going hard no matter what. its just what i do. :)

later.

No...the numbers were from last year and 3 years ago. 2006 was worse number....much worse because of the things you mentioned.

Are all the rest stops supplying food, or just the lunch stop?

Are all the rest stops supplying food, or just the lunch stop?

all.

brown sugar poptarts for eveyone!!

later.

Great, I might not need my backpack now! :D

All of the stops provide some array of food. Pretty large spreads usually.

OK - so starship Psimet will be hauling:
Driver and co-pilot
Psimet
aham
voldemort
jt1

I'm in for the ride :)

Does anyone need to share a room before I book one?

How much space is left in the starship Psimet? Space for a not so skinny guy like me?

I also have a 4 bike carrier for a 2" hitch in case the carrier is already full and is not a 4 bike carrier.

As I'm living right off I-80 I would be en route to I-65 if this is the plan to go down to Terre Haute for a pickup if space is available?

Thomas

How much space is left in the starship Psimet? Space for a not so skinny guy like me?

I also have a 4 bike carrier for a 2" hitch in case the carrier is already full and is not a 4 bike carrier.

As I'm living right off I-80 I would be en route to I-65 if this is the plan to go down to Terre Haute for a pickup if space is available?

Thomas

JT1 looks to be out so yes I believe there is a spot available in starship psimet. Not sure we're heading down 65 or taking back roads through Illinois to T-Haute. I think the 65 to the big NDY then over on 70 may actually be faster.

65 is like the autobahn around laffalot.

If we don't go that route would you be willing to meet up with us out west along 88 near Naperville?

Else suggest a good exit to meet up.

You have good luck. PM me if you're serious and we'll work out some details tomorrow

BTW - My friend that I have known longer than any other person outside of my family just called up and mentioned he is in for this year as well. He's IndyColtsFan on here, but pretty much never posts. He's already done RAIN like 3-4 times at least and is the one that talked me into doing it originally. Has been off the bike for a few years (rode the Kenosha Bike Club ride with some of us last year) but recently got a new Giant and has been putting in the miles. He can be a monster. Don't know what shape he's in, but if he's in good form he can be a monster. Fair warning.

PM dropped just like I will get dropped on Saturday.

I pm'd back...

Also guys...looks like Mrs. Psimet might be willing to sag the route - kind of as an adventure. I'm excited. So there is a remote chance you might be able to stash gear and pick it up along route.

Plan for either.

What do you suggest regarding type of jersey? Short sleeve, sleeveless or lightweight long sleeve sunblock jersey?

I'm thinking sleeveless but that might be way too much sun.

Is one bottle of gatorade, one bottle of water and one clif bar per hour enough intake?

I'm getting nervous/scared/excited!!:twitchy:

The forecast is for high of 90 w/30% chance of thunderstorms.

momof - it's all about what you're comfortable in. Are you going to be comfortable in a lw longsleeve if it gets humid, or rains? Wear whatever you're comfortable in...it's a long day. I think you'll be fine in either sleeveless, or short sleeve. I'm personally going with a short sleeve because I don't care about funny tan lines, and my scrawny arms don't flatter me.

As for food/drink...again, it's what you're comfortable with/used to. I think 1 bottle/1 snack per hour is the norm. It might vary a little depending on heat and your energy level. I'll tell you what works for me. I carry two 24 oz bottles..1 water, 1 accelerade. Both bottles last me until the rest stops where I refill, and mix another accelerade. I'm also going to carry a smaller bottle of water in my pocket just to squirt on my face/neck when it gets hot because I'm a sissy that way. If I'm running low on fluids, and it's HOT, I slow down. As for the clif bars...that's a lot of clif bars. Are you carrying a full day's worth, or is someone SAG'ing for you? It's taboo to start experimenting with nutrition before a big ride, but it's never hurt me so...you might want to mix it up a little for variety...baggie of raisins, fig newtons, grapes, twizzlers, gels (I like chocolate AccelGel with caffiene and protein), or shot blocks (not a fan of these...take to long to eat, and gives me sticky mouth syndrome that I waste my water on getting rid of it). They'll get you to the rest stops, and don't weigh a ton. I like getting a half pbj and fresh fruit at the stops.

Nervous/scared/and excited...it's a great feeling isn't it? There's a lot of energy and excitement to feed off of at RAIN. You'll make it, and be so proud of yourself when you finish. It's quite an accomplishment. My daughter is worrying for me so I don't have to :D I just look forward to a shower and gigantic meal afterwards.

Don't forget your soap and towel. I'm sure I'll see everyone at the start, but just in case...Good luck and safe riding!

I pm'd back...

Also guys...looks like Mrs. Psimet might be willing to sag the route - kind of as an adventure. I'm excited. So there is a remote chance you might be able to stash gear and pick it up along route.

Plan for either.

i can think of nothing that sounds more fun then dragging a 3 year old across the State of Indiana at 25 mph. :eek::cry::eek:

im not saying. im just saying.

----

alright, lets get the sandbagging chatter going.

Psimet, you surely have already competely changed your bike setup in prep for RAIN?

Voldermort, have asked your wife to hide your helmet in order to properly leave it behind?

Me, i picked up some new gloves. the pro kind with no velcro strap. they just slide on. i tested them out yesterday. they are faaaaaasssssst! (http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=33334)

later.

Momof...you'll be fine. +1 to nvr's advice. Ride with what you're comfortable in. With the forecast for 90 my experience tells me that the sections on the South side of Indy where little to no air is really moving will be like an oven.

Me - I almost always wear sleeved. I used to change jerseys from the sag at the last stop. It was always something small that really helped me feel fresh for that last push, but I ditched doing that last year. On those occassions though I would change into a sleeveless jersey. It always felt fantastic but looked like crap.

I am too vain now to attempt it anymore. ;)


---------------

Now - sandbagging....The pedal change I did on Monday really screwed up my knees BAD on Tuesday. I am definitely switching back. I was seriously considering changing my saddle height, etc....then I remembered that I always do something stupid like that every year and regret it. Thanks for reminding me aham.

I suck. I am out of shape. I haven't ridden much this year. The trail construction has really taken away my commuting/saddle time. I haven't had time to upkeep my bike. I think there is still water in the wheels from the Caddy Shack like downpour I rode in AL.

I had to put an old tire back on because the one I had was worn out and I had no backups. It's off my Campy bike so late at night I can hear some strange bickering coming from the garage. I can't make it out, but it kind of sounds like insults in Italian and Japanese. I turn the lights on and it stops. I fear sabatoge might be in the works.

I'm fat and out of shape. I can't figure out my nutrition. I can't seem to hold a wheel. I've only done like 2 or 3 centuries this year. According to Bikewire I am too slow. Someone made fun of me today. My son thinks I look wierd in lycra. My wife won't let me shave my legs. I think I might have an ulcer, and my socks are too tight.

Oh...and like on my blog....I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck I suck

Voldermort, have asked your wife to hide your helmet in order to properly leave it behind?

:lol: Hah! I bought a new helmet. Now have one in each gear bag.:innocent: And although I've worn it riding with my wife, she didn't notice it (old one dark blue, new one silver and white), so can't hide it. And silver and white is ssooooooooooooo fast compared to the blue. I am color-coordinated and ready-to-roll. I'm trying to figure out what Beatles song (to match my NEW jersey) to sing/hum for 160 miles to drive evrybody crazy. How about "Why Don't We Do It in the Road"? Or for the massed start, maybe "Helter Skelter".

..

voldemort, you are on it. helmet and a good song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETkVYejttqs)to hum are key.

later.

If you guys still have the breath to sing, you're riding to slow :D

Heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy batter batter batter batter...Sahweeeeeeeng Batter!

[QUOTE=voldemort;7035698 I'm trying to figure out what Beatles song (to match my NEW jersey) to sing/hum for 160 miles to drive evrybody crazy. How about "Why Don't We Do It in the Road"? Or for the massed start, maybe "Helter Skelter".[/QUOTE]

how 'bout this cheery little ditty for the last 20 miles?

:p

The black cloud crossed my mind
Blue mist round my soul
Feel so suicidal
Even hate my rock and roll wanna die
Yeah, wanna die
If I ain't dead already
Ooh, girl you know the reason why