Pacific Northwest - Flying Wheels

Not to hijack, but anyone want to weigh-in on how the FW 3-mile hill at roughly Mile 48 of the 65 (assume high 70s/low 80s for the century) compares to The Hill in Puyallup for STP. Seems like it'd be a good comparison for the 65 given similar distances from the start.

They're not even close. I measured Duthie Hill at about 2 1/2 miles with grades of 7-10% (aside from the few steps.) Puyallup hill is maybe 1 mile long with a grade of probably ~6-8%.

They're not even close. I measured Duthie Hill at about 2 1/2 miles with grades of 7-10% (aside from the few steps.) Puyallup hill is maybe 1 mile long with a grade of probably ~6-8%.

I don't know you, but I do love you. That makes me feel awesome about STP. Going for a second long ride this weekend tomorrow to see how I do to on back-to-back long days. Portland, here I come!

I had a great ride today. I rode with my team (HPC with CycleU) and we managed a 19mph average for the 100 mile course. It was my first time doing FW and it was a nice course overall, except as noted above. Only bad thing was an incident with a rider in the faster HPC group. She crashed and broke her clavicle. :( Last I heard she was doing ok but it still sucks.

I rode with some of the HPC folks for a few miles toward the beginning and saw the fallout of the crash.

Otherwise had a great ride. I hooked up with some guys from Starbucks that were hammering from miles 60-80. I fell off that group before the long slog on Issy-Falls city road but lots of fun.

My Crankbrothers "Candy C" pedal decided to strip its spindle and destroy the bearing. This had the effect of more than 1 inch of lateral play. It was really annoying to ride 18 miles until the next mechanical stop. Luckily the wrench from Mountlake Bikes loaned me a Time pedal. I couldn't clip in, but it let me finish the ride.

My Crankbrothers "Candy C" pedal decided to strip its spindle and destroy the bearing. This had the effect of more than 1 inch of lateral play. It was really annoying to ride 18 miles until the next mechanical stop. Luckily the wrench from Mountlake Bikes loaned me a Time pedal. I couldn't clip in, but it let me finish the ride.

Way to stick it out for the last 18 miles, though! Good job.:thumb:

I also had a great ride on Saturday. I felt strong throughout the whole century with my only weak spot being the first mile of the long climb at the 80 mile point. I had 140 miles for the ride & today added another 90. I'm feeling good about STP.

I also had a great ride on Saturday. I felt strong throughout the whole century with my only weak spot being the first mile of the long climb at the 80 mile point. I had 140 miles for the ride & today added another 90. I'm feeling good about STP.

Well done! That's a lot of miles in one weekend.

Way to stick it out for the last 18 miles, though! Good job.:thumb:

Thanks. I have a bit of lunch time riding to take care of today. Left a bag of clothes at a restaurant up in Wedgewood and also have to return this pedal to the shop.