Northern California - Polo Field Century Saturday July 18

This morning I had intended to join the "hills of San Francisco" ride @ 9:45. I left my place around 8 and was going to do an hour on the Polo Fields as a warm-up, but instead I stayed for nearly 4 hours (3:43 actually) and rode 80 miles (120) laps.

I would have done the full century, but I had to be home by noon. So, I think I'll do the century next Saturday instead. Some people may think it's crazy, but it's incredibly efficient training. No stopping for stop signs or stoplights, no coasting on the downhills, just hours of nonstop pedaling.

So, if you want to join me next Saturday, let me know. I'll plan to start @ 8am sharp & finish by 12:45.
Also, feel free to come by anytime & say hi or join me for a few laps.

This is really cool. Wish I could make it.

I'm actually pretty intrigued, although I suspect that I'd never last that long in your wake. I assume that it's pancake flat?

I think I'd get dizzy

I would like to try it out sometime. That sounds like fun, though I do not know if I would have the patience for about 150 laps.

We'd talked about this for a while... glad it's got a date and will happen.
Are you cutting back on the races for a little while?

I'm taking a couple weeks off from racing then doing:

July 25-26 Masters District Championships RR & Crit
Aug 1 elite district championships RR
Aug 9 Patterson Pass RR
Aug 18-23 Tour of Utah

Chris,

I may join you guys. I need to get back into shape after the wedding/honeymoon (no riding, eating lots, etc, etc).

What about water? One in the jersey, two on the bike?? Will 3 bottles get you through, or is there a water "stop" halfway for a quick fill?

I did 80 miles with 2 bottles today, so I think we can do 100 with 3. There is a water fountain just outside the track.

And yes, it's pancake flat. :)

If there's enough guys we can shoot for sub 4 hours :)

I did 80 miles with 2 bottles today, so I think we can do 100 with 3. There is a water fountain just outside the track.

And yes, it's pancake flat. :)

You can probably just leave a liter or two of water somewhere on the track under the bleachers or someplace.

If there's enough guys we can shoot for sub 4 hours :)

I will make sure not to join you guys on that day. I would die after 20 miles of trying to keep up. Besides, my pace-lining is not all that efficient. Today was actually my first day ever trying it out. Needs a bit of work.

If there's enough guys we can shoot for sub 4 hours :)

That would be tough. I was thinking of starting at 20mph for the 1st hour, the gradually picking it up after that and finishing at around 24-25mph.

What? You mean you don't want to pull us at 25mph for 4 hours? :roflmao:

What? You mean you don't want to pull us at 25mph for 4 hours? :roflmao:

Oh wait, I wouldn't have to pull at all? I like the idea of that.

Oh wait, I wouldn't have to pull at all? I like the idea of that.

Well, if no one else shows up I'll have to pull the whole way anyway. :D
So feel free to show up and sit on. Though if anyone else wants to pull, I'll be happy to rest for a lap or 2..

How is the traffic there these days, specifically soccer game related? Been thinking of heading there on my track bike, but a couple scares last year have me scared.

btw, what exactly is a thesaurus?

Well, if no one else shows up I'll have to pull the whole way anyway. :D
So feel free to show up and sit on. Though if anyone else wants to pull, I'll be happy to rest for a lap or 2..

Oh, I will actually be out of town this weekend, but I like the idea of trying this out if done again in the future.

How is the traffic there these days, specifically soccer game related? Been thinking of heading there on my track bike, but a couple scares last year have me scared.

btw, what exactly is a thesaurus?

I think the field has been closed for a few weeks. I haven't seen anyone playing soccer or doing anything else on the infield lately. Last Saturday there were only about half a dozen other cyclists the whole time I was out there. Hopefully this Saturday will be quiet too.

I might head out and give some beer handups near the end :beer:

;):thumb:
I might head out and give some beer handups near the end :beer:

This looks like a lot of fun. Would it be bad form if one (me) should join in say around 10 or 10:30 and do about 30 to 45 minutes before peeling out?

This looks like a lot of fun. Would it be bad form if one (me) should join in say around 10 or 10:30 and do about 30 to 45 minutes before peeling out?

Not at all. It was pretty lonely out there on Saturday and I welcome anyone coming by, even for a few laps.

Weather forecast looks good for the 1st Polo Field Century tomorrow.
Start temp should be around 59 degrees, getting up to 70 by the end.
It looks like there will be some wind from the west, starting off at about 6mph and building.

I'll be posting live twitter updates to:

http://twitter.com/christophipps
(you can do that when there are no cars around) :D

I will be there at the start. Not sure if I'm in for the full 100, but I'll see how it goes...

Argh. Can't make it to SF this morning. Take lots of pix! :-)

Sorry Chris, I won't be able to make this either. I'd like to try this out some time though.

That was more fun than I thought it would be. Thanks to Greg, Jim, Hank, Harold, Justin & Pete for coming out to ride & to Henry for cheering & taking pics.

Here's a summary & some data from the ride.

Start time was 8:15 with me, Greg & Hank.
We started the first several laps slow (16-17 mph), then gradually picked it up to about 20
mph by the end of the 1st hour. Harold joined us after a few laps & stayed about 2 hours. We averaged about 22 mph for the next 90 minutes, trading pulls. Jim joined us after around 20 miles & rode the rest of the way. Pete showed up around mile 47 & rode a few laps & rook some pics. Hank & I stopped after 50 miles for a Pee break and lost a lap on Greg & Jim. Hank left after this. I did a hard 30 min interval @ 25mph after 60 miles & put a few laps on Greg & Jim, then we started riding together again. Justin joined us around mile 80 and pulled pretty good for several laps, then left. About this time Henry showed up with the kids & walked a lap while cheering & taking pics.

For the last 10 miles, Greg, Jim & I were mostly on our own, going at our own paces since we were all pretty beat. Great job guys, that was a tough one!

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Chris-14.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/TheCentury.jpg

Thanks for organizing, Chris, that was something I've been wanting to try for a while.

The first 50 miles were a lot of fun, even when I barely hanging on when the speed ramped up. The second 50 were pretty painful -- especially miles 55 to 75 when it was too early to tell myself that at least it would soon be over. Thanks again, Jim, for filling my bottle for me so I didn't have to stop. At that point, if I'd gotten off my bike, I might not have gotten back on it....

It was nice to see you guys rolling around the track. Luke was really hungry so we left to find some food. Unfortunately the photo I took were all pretty blurry. Here's a collage of some of the better ones.

click image for larger version
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3500/3734599236_baf34accab_b.jpg (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3500/3734599236_1fdf12d30e_o.jpg)

Sorry I wasn't there with beer, Hellyer beginner session went long and I didn't make it in time. Had some good ol' Downtown Brown with me, too.

Either way, awesome job!

So what was your total time for the 100 miles? Congrats on finishing, I don't think I'd have the patience for 150 laps.

So what was your total time for the 100 miles? Congrats on finishing, I don't think I'd have the patience for 150 laps.

Thanks, my total time was 4:48:36.
I stopped twice for restroom breaks, but didn't stop the clock.
Constant rider didn't stop at all!

I'm thinking the next one will be a winter solstice century, all in the dark, starting at sunset. Who's in? :D

Thanks, my total time was 4:48:36.
I stopped twice for restroom breaks, but didn't stop the clock.
Constant rider didn't stop at all!

I'm thinking the next one will be a winter solstice century, all in the dark, starting at sunset. Who's in? :D

Interesting... for the big FOUR OH?

Amazing stuff. I did about 60 laps last week and I haven't been the same since and maybe never will be...:lol:

Interesting... for the big FOUR OH?

I was considering that, but I think we should do something more interesting for that day.
Maybe a Woodside to Pescadero & back ride?

(Only 152 days until Henry and I turn 40)

Thanks, my total time was 4:48:36.
I stopped twice for restroom breaks, but didn't stop the clock.
Constant rider didn't stop at all!

I'm thinking the next one will be a winter solstice century, all in the dark, starting at sunset. Who's in? :D

Just to clarify, didn't stop to go or didn't go? I ask because one is impressive, the other is scary :roflmao2:

Just to clarify, didn't stop to go or didn't go? I ask because one is impressive, the other is scary :roflmao2:

No stops, no on-bike nature breaks, so i guess the answer's "scary."

No stops, no on-bike nature breaks, so i guess the answer's "scary."

I was there tonight for ~hour. I went before we rode, and when done I could of gone again. Between you & I is 'normal' :thumb: