Great Lakes - Tosrv

TOSRV registration begins 1/15/09.

Who's done this ride? Thoughts? How awful are the sleeping accomodations in the gym? It's waay too late to try to book a decent hotel in Portsmouth.

The jerseys are usually pretty nice.

TOSRV registration begins 1/15/09.

Who's done this ride? Thoughts? How awful are the sleeping accomodations in the gym? It's waay too late to try to book a decent hotel in Portsmouth.

The jerseys are usually pretty nice.

The thought of sleeping on a gym floor in the middle of a double century is not all that appealing....:mad:
There has to be a better option

It's not all on a gym floor. some of its on a health club floor and maybe a church floor or two. And there is allways the option to camp. I have been told that when you check out of a local motel that you put in your reservation for the following year, but never haveing done it I cant stay for certain.

In my opinion the weather is the main down side of this ride. I have done it in sun and I have done it in tha rain. Route is ok stops are 25 miles apart and well stocked.

Mom, where are you in NE Ohio?

Colleen, Here is the short answer, call me if you want the long one. I have riden it twice and it is one of my least favorite rides. You will face head winds a least one, if not both days, it WILL rain, it will be cold at least one day and chances are you will get all three, wet, wind and cold.

The first 2 sections (50 miles) are flat,boring and on some of the ruffer roads (unless they have been repaired), the 3rd 25 very rolly and the most scenic best part of the ride by far, the last 25 is generally flat with some pretty sections reverse it for Sunday. Both years there where issues with miss marked or poorly mark sections of the ride ( I ended up on a major highway with 6 people once becuase of that)

Way to many riders, and lots of them care little about the rules of the road on this ride, lots of very fast pacelines too. Lots of riders in big packs taking up the road, this I really hated!!!

I was fortunate enough to be with someone who had a hotel room, but the sleeping arrangements are in areas all over Portsmouth and looked to be more than adequate, but again it's on the floor with at least several hundred other people. Rest stop are alright, but it the same stuff at each one, the are well stocked though. You won't starve, but trail mix and store bought cookies get pretty old by Sunday arternoon.

Saturday is the best day and the party in the park in portsmouth is nice. The town is quite nice and lots to ride around and see. The ride back on Sunday is the Ohio equilivant of the Burmess Death March, you will never be so happy to see high street in Columbus in your life.

Call for more details. DAN

Everything leinad said is true. It's remarkable that 3,000 cyclists would subject themselves to it more than 40 years in a row.

TOSRV's unpredictable weather early in the cycle season is part of its appeal. You have to get out training in inclement weather as you not only get limbered up for back to back centuries but also so you can develop a comfortable foul weather system. The average high is in the upper sixties and the rain is mostly just short showers with much longer intervals of non-rain in between. Sort of a glass half full or half empty deal.

The large undisciplined pacelines are pretty rare now. The overall riding skill and rule following is now quite good. It's nothing like what you saw 15 years ago. The largest age group in TOSRV in 2008 were the 50-59 year olds with 40-49 year olds second. They've been around the block on this ride a few times.

I didn't mind the gym even back when the ride was over 6,000. Maybe being tired made me sleep soundly or maybe it didn't seem all that bad after 13 years of sea duty. The foods at the stops is at least as good as any ride I've been on that did not require $100 in pledges beforehand. The baked potatoes are nice in cool weather.

I like the ride back on Sunday, it feels like a different ride. It's even better if you have a nice group to ride with :)

TOSRV registration begins 1/15/09.

Who's done this ride? Thoughts? How awful are the sleeping accomodations in the gym? It's waay too late to try to book a decent hotel in Portsmouth.

The jerseys are usually pretty nice.

I've done it 15 times, but not for a couple of years (I seem to have kids graduating from college on that weekend every year). The gym isn't really that bad and there are several locations, some better than others. If you are a strong rider then back to back centuries shouldn't bother you. I like to have 2000 miles by tosrv to really do it it justice and hang with some of the fast groups. As I edge towards 70 I find Sunday a little harder than it used to be.

Frank

Looks like Leinad, Mom and myself are in for the 2009 TOSRV. Who else?

More then likely I will be there along with the tandem riders I was with when I saw Leinad at sweetcorn.

I have riden it twice and it is one of my least favorite rides. You will face head winds a least one, if not both days, it WILL rain, it will be cold at least one day and chances are you will get all three, wet, wind and cold.

The first 2 sections (50 miles) are flat,boring and on some of the ruffer roads (unless they have been repaired), the 3rd 25 very rolly and the most scenic best part of the ride by far, the last 25 is generally flat with some pretty sections reverse it for Sunday. Both years there where issues with miss marked or poorly mark sections of the ride ( I ended up on a major highway with 6 people once becuase of that)

Way to many riders, and lots of them care little about the rules of the road on this ride, lots of very fast pacelines too. Lots of riders in big packs taking up the road, this I really hated!!!

I was fortunate enough to be with someone who had a hotel room, but the sleeping arrangements are in areas all over Portsmouth and looked to be more than adequate, but again it's on the floor with at least several hundred other people. Rest stop are alright, but it the same stuff at each one, the are well stocked though. You won't starve, but trail mix and store bought cookies get pretty old by Sunday arternoon.

Saturday is the best day and the party in the park in portsmouth is nice. The town is quite nice and lots to ride around and see. The ride back on Sunday is the Ohio equilivant of the Burmess Death March, you will never be so happy to see high street in Columbus in your life.

I fail to see the problem with any of this! I've done it 5 years in a row (plus once in 1985 when I was a young lad), and I love it for all the reasons leinad hates it. It's TOSRV! :lol:

Dobo - Are you doing it with Vince again??

Hey Frank... yep. Vince and I are registered, and as far as I know we have Don Brown and Chuck, plus Jim, a buddy of mine from last year's RAINSTORM week. You gonna get back into it this year?

six weeks till TOSRV! Wouldn't it be great if we had good weather both days? Wishful thinking? Has it ever happened?

six weeks till TOSRV! Wouldn't it be great if we had good weather both days? Wishful thinking? Has it ever happened?


Yes. One year it was 80 deg both days.

I am hoping for a head wind both days maybe with sleet and roads that are coved with Belgiun tooth paste...............Now with that said it will most likey be sunny both days.

I am hoping for a head wind both days maybe with sleet and roads that are coved with Belgiun tooth paste...............Now with that said it will most likey be sunny both days.

I love seeing people taunt the weather gods. Nice try with the reverse psychology, but it won't work.

As of today. 37 days.

BUMP

Who's in?

Only two more weekends till TOSRV.....Ready or not...here it comes.

I will be attempting this for my first time this year:). This is loosely my 3rd year cycling and I have had my eye on this event since I first bought my bike. I have been active on my fluid trainer since February and have managed 1 century, 2 metrics and a handful of 40 mile rides when weather permitting here in Ohio. I'm really hoping for good weather and low wind, not too sure how I will manage otherwise!

I will be attempting this for my first time this year:). This is loosely my 3rd year cycling and I have had my eye on this event since I first bought my bike. I have been active on my fluid trainer since February and have managed 1 century, 2 metrics and a handful of 40 mile rides when weather permitting here in Ohio. I'm really hoping for good weather and low wind, not too sure how I will manage otherwise!

sounds like my story, 'cept for managing a century yet this year....TOS will be first for the year, oh, and 2nd come to think of it.

Good luck to you it sounds like you are well prepared and should do very well....

Anyone else feel like they don't have enough miles in yet this year?

Anyone else feel like they don't have enough miles in yet this year?

raises hand...I'm at about 1300 for the year (outdoor only) and i am feeling that way....But after reading about Aham's upcoming adventure, well, this is pretty small potatoes. We will be fine on TOSRV...:) just gotta pace ourselves, not go out too fast, especially the first day.

Getting closer .....Hope your all out there getting the miles in.

bump for the TOSRV riders.....

so what's the weather going to be like? Looks pretty decent so far, but the wind will be the kicker.

Mom, Hope to get meet you this weekend. I will be on a postal paint 5200, running with a two tone commotion tandem. All wearing either Orrville Cycling Jerseys or Long sleave wool orrville jersey's. If I dont see you on TOSRV I will see you on GOBA.

so what's the weather going to be like? Looks pretty decent so far, but the wind will be the kicker.

If you're doing a double century this weekend, RAIN in mid-July should be nuthin'. Good luck and enjoy the TOSRV ride.

If you're doing a double century this weekend, RAIN in mid-July should be nuthin'. Good luck and enjoy the TOSRV ride.

Thanks......wouldn't say RAIN will be "nuthin" but it would be nice to improve my time over last year's.

Mom, Hope to get meet you this weekend. I will be on a postal paint 5200, running with a two tone commotion tandem. All wearing either Orrville Cycling Jerseys or Long sleave wool orrville jersey's. If I dont see you on TOSRV I will see you on GOBA.

I will keep my eyes peeled for the Orville jerseys and a 2-tone tandem. Look for me on a yellowy-orange Serotta, my riding partner has a blue Riv. Hope to see you!

Mom, will this year be your first GOBA?

Mom, will this year be your first GOBA?

no, this is the third GOBA for me. I've gone every year since I started riding my bike and I really look forward to it. I like spending the time outdoors, just riding, relaxing, and catching up w/friends.

Last year I worked in the medical tent and I will do that again this year.

Colleen

Ahh you have seen us on GOBA then........Same people different bikes and 2 more people, A black Trek xo1 and a Comotion Quad.

What is happening to the Columbus Saturday weather forecast?
One service has West winds at up to 14 mph, another service has West winds at up to 28 mph!

TOSRV #138

What is happening to the Columbus Saturday weather forecast?
One service has West winds at up to 14 mph, another service has West winds at up to 28 mph!

TOSRV #138

I'll take the 14 mph forecast please.

I'm TOSRV #450...say "hey" if you see me

I'm number 1028. Will be riding an IRO Jamie Roy fixie. Everyone have a great ride and let's hope for the 14mph winds rather than the 31mph winds!

If you're doing a double century this weekend, RAIN in mid-July should be nuthin'. Good luck and enjoy the TOSRV ride.

There is really not much comparison between RAIN and TOSRV. RAIN is sooo much harder.

Good luck to all of you and have a great time!

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/05/06/sarabender.html?type=rss&cat=&sid=101



Today, a Pike County jury found the woman whose sport-utility vehicle struck the bicyclist guilty of leaving the scene of an accident. But the jury, in a special finding, decided that Sara Bender's failure to stop, in and of itself, did not result in the death of bicyclist William Crowley, who was killed while he rode in the tour on May 11.

The verdict means that Bender was guilty of a first-degree misdemeanor, rather than the more-serious offense of leaving the scene of a fatal accident, the third-degree felony on which she was indicted last year.

The misdemeanor conviction is punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. She could have faced one to five years in prison if convicted of the felony. Sentencing is scheduled for June 1.
:(

Started outside of Westerville and rode the first leg of TOSRV to Circleville and back. 93 miles. The weather was good. The wind was not. West/SW at 20-25mph. With gusts +30. The winds were'nt as bad in the morning. They got stronger in the afternoon. I could'nt imagine how they were the whole way to Portsmouth. Coming back to Columbus I thought we'd have a nice tailwind. But at times it turned to a brutal crosswind. Especially when we had to head west at times. Getting beat up by a 30+mph headwind takes the fun out of things. Picked up the Bikepath at the Whittier Peninsula and headed home weatherbeaten and tired.

... I'd like to hear how the trip was on Saturday heading to Portsmouth.
_________________

Saturday was a bit windy, especially after the stop in Portsmouth. It was a crossing wind for the most part -- the wind was due West. It blew steadily in the mid-20s with gusts to 35mph (according to the historical data at wunderground.com for Chillicothe). Toward the mid-afternoon, the wind died out a bit and south of Waverly there's good shelter with the trees and hills helping to knock the wind down. It was a challenging ride, but it won't be one for the TOSRV record books. (It was my fifth, and it was probably the most favorable conditions for the weekend as a whole of any I've done -- 04 was better but 05, 06, and 07 were not). It could have been a whole lot worse!

Sunday was much nicer, with some light winds crossing out of the NW to keep things honest. It was sunny and the humidity was low. We had a delightful ride back.

Congrats! on your long day Saturday!

TOSRV 2009, what can I say about it? We headed out of downtown Columbus bright and early. The weather was nice, jersey, shorts, armwarmers were plenty. We had a headwind. I had wonderful riding companions. The food at was unremarkable but adequate. We had wind, but no rain, and moderate temps, so there's no complaints about the weather. We had a headwind both days, it was worse on Saturday, and Sunday when the wind changed it brought in high pressure which made for a beautiful crystal clear day and bright blue sky.

What made this ride so intriguing to me is the idea that you must get out and train in the often nasty NE Ohio late winter and spring to be ready. And I was blessed to have had adequate training so I felt really good, and remarkably fresh at the end of the first day.

The party in the park was fun. The murals are awesome, quite a coup for a small town like Portsmouth. You can tell they really treasure the TOSRV tradition. We drank beer and socialized. We ate pizza and socialized. I went to bed early. I slept the sleep of angels.

Sunday riding up to Waverly was a good time to work out the kinks and warm up. I was feeling the previous day's miles on my saddle and oh my butt was sore:cry:

From Waverly to Chillicothe I went OTF and had a great run through the hills. Schoolhouse was more fun going down than up, but it was OK on the way up too. Not bad at all, infact.

We regrouped and rode the rest of the ride together w/my riding group. We jawed seemingly endlessly about how sore our butts were and how difficult it was to find a comfortable spot. We pondered the possibility of riding out of the saddle for the next 40 miles, but couldn't pull it off. We took ibuprofen. We ate more cookies and pb and j. One of our companions had done this ride many times and regaled us w/the history of the event and provided lots of interesting trivia about the geography and history of the towns were were passing through.

No one bonked.

We had one broken bicycle and two flats in our group.

I did something really boneheaded. In the morning I followed another person to the parking garage in Columbus, an area I am completey unfamliar with. I parked my car, w/the idea that they would be w/me when I returned and help me find my car, so I wasn't paying attention to where I was. Well, that couple finished quite a bit later than me, so they weren't around to remind where my car was:o Fortunately for me my good friend MKarhl here on BF was w/me and helped me find it after ascending 6 spiralling levels in a parking garage. Just what you want to do after riding 105 miles, right? If it hadn't been for his help, I would probably still be wandering around downtown Columbus...doh! Thank you Michael!

Here's a few photos of our excellent adventure

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2025428&id=1207130740&l=b773f3cf53

^^^^^^^^^^^ Thanks for sharing the great pics C!!