Pacific Northwest - One-day STP rider looking for partners in crime.

OK, OK... the only real "crime" is the punishment I'll be inflicting upon my body and the resulting pyschological trauma!

That said, I don't have a group or paceline to ride with. Looking to average 18 MPH (or better) and roll in to Portland by arond 6 PM. Last year I managed to average 17.5 mph until the bike computer died at about 167 mile mark... not solo but with limited amounts of drafting. (My buddy was on a recumbent which is damn near worthless to try to draft behind on a regular DF bike.) This year it would be nice to be part of a larger group or paceline and finish faster.

If anyone with similar goals and abilities is in the same boat as me, drop me a line and maybe we can meet up at the starting line. Feel free to e-mail me [btp] directly ["at" s16v dot com] or phone/text: two five three 9514712.

Bradley

Crickets, huh? Well, it'd be cool to meet up with other one-day riders regardless of your intended pace. Unless you've trained diligently together, riding groups tend to fall apart on an extended ride like this anyway. Important thing is to go at your own pace, don't over-exert yourself in the first 100 miles when your legs are feeling fresh.

I think your pace will be just a little too toasty for me. I'm fairly sure I'll be battling that 9 PM finish line close all day. Have a good ride. I'll be in Fat Cyclist (white, pink, black) kit with Kamala the Ugandan Giant on my fender.

Bradley,

If you see rider #2537 wearing a UW jersey that will be I. I am a one day rider. I don't know if I can roll off a better than 18 mph average, but I am happy to trade pulls with you for as long as works out.

Robert

I'm fairly sure I'll be battling that 9 PM finish line close all day.
Last year I finally rolled in at about 10:30, and there were still volunteers (hurray!) handing out the one-day finisher tags. Just be sure you've got lights for front and back.

You won't be alone, on STP the norm is to drift from group to group until you find a match. Be open and friendly and others will more than likely welcome you to join in. If they ask you to drop off, no big deal, just drop back and find another. Have a fun day, looks like a perfect day weather wise.

Last year I finally rolled in at about 10:30, and there were still volunteers (hurray!) handing out the one-day finisher tags. Just be sure you've got lights for front and back.

Sweet! But I don't need encouragement to lollygag.

They way I see it, the faster I am, the less time I have to spend on the saddle! Last year, the real hurt started around 130 miles or so. Pesky cramping on the inner thigh muscles and overall fatigue setting in. The last 50 miles after crossing over the Lewis & Clark bridge was miserable. I wanted off the bike in the WORST way imaginable. My friend on the his recumbant was still smiling and chipper. I wanted to choke him. :) I'm sure it'll hurt this year but I'm hoping to pace myself better and ensure I take in enough electrolytes (salt!), as well as nutritional support.

Robert... sounds good. If you want, shoot me your phone # in a private message and hopefully we can meet up at the start line. My bib # is 5889. I'll be on a white Cervelo R3. Not sure which jersey I'll be wearing, but hopefully something semi-unique and easy to identify. (In other words, not a 2009 or 2010 STP jersey!) I found one other guy from RoadBikeReview that I'll be meeting up with as well. Taking it easy the first 50-100 miles is the way to go. There will be plenty of riders on the road and maintaining 18-20 with a large group or paceline is pretty easy. I think I started off last year doing like 20-22 and cranking up that first big hill in Puyallup when I should have been conserving energy for later. I blame the power meter! "Oh, look, I can make 700 watts." (for about 15 seconds anyway) :P

Bradley