Fifty Plus (50+) - Just signed up the the 115 Lake Okeechobee Ride, 9/4 8^0 Am I nuts????

I guess there is still time to reconsider, but....

September 4 · 6:30am - 1:00pm
Location John Stretch Park

Most of the route is on the levees which are super smooth paved asphalt about 10 feet wide with no traffic allowed, what a relief to ride with no cars.

The path looks like this (click the link for an overview)

http://www.tlausser.com/LakeOkechobee/LakeOkeechobee_2008_03.htm

Here are some other pix:
http://www.djrider.com/dayrides/photos/LOSTMilemarker.jpg
and this
http://djwriter.com/cycling/dayrides/photos/LOSTView2.jpg
and this
http://www.djrider.com/dayrides/photos/LOSTView1.jpg
and this
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/media/photo/2007-02/27066927.jpg
and this
http://outdoortravels.com/files/fl_okee_03_kellstart.jpg


There are a couple of good climbs (for FLA) with a few bridges especially the one over the St Lucie canal, it comes at about 90 miles and hurts, take a look

http://outdoortravels.com/files/fl_okee_12_bridgenearend.jpg
and this in Moore Haven

https://images.marinas.com/med_res_id/66597


We will drive and meet at John Stretch Park which a nice little park with bathrooms and a nice parking lot and is situated right on the levees edge, the park is about 5 miles west past South Bay on US27 on the north side of the road.

The ride will leave at 6.30am, we cannot leave any earlier as it will be pitch dark and there are no lights out there at all, it is about an hour and a half drive north of my home and about an hour drive from Palm Beach.

This is not an organized ride as there is no SAG. It is being set up by a local enthusiast who has done this ride the last 6 years.

It will be hot and humid (90 and 90) and then there is always the possiblity of a freak storm, but not so much early. I think it will be a real test!

I think that would be a great ride. The heat would be the main trouble. Starting at 6:30 makes sense, but that last 30 miles will be a killer.

I have seen some other reports about people making that big loop. Sounds like a great ride, but not so sure about the time of year. I did 60 miles up here in the Pinellas County region this past Saturday (starting at 7:00am) and it was brutally hot (heat index near 100 by 11:00am). Good luck, find a good wheel to follow and keep hydrated.

Mark

I do 40+ mi 3 times a week in this weather. I did my age (a metric - 62.5) last weekend in Orlando. It's going to be a test, but I'll keep an eye on the HR. If I can keep it in zone 3 or 4 I think i'll be fine. Lots of h2o and lots of wheel sucking. If we don't have at least 20 riders and at least 10 B level, I'll reconsider.

The event is on Facebook. So far of the 10 respondents, 7 have FB avatars that show them on their bike. That's hard core.

I think you will do fine. From your earlier post your riding group seems to be advanced and your abilities match theirs. I would suggest that you keep it in the little ring for the Moore Haven climb.:D I was not aware that Florida had that kind of climbing or scenic vistas.

If your jersey has three pockets then I would suggest putting an extra bottle of fluid in both the left and right pockets and filling the center pocket with a gel flask.

I just did a little research n the weather for Sept 4th for the Lake Okeechobee area. Ave high is in the low 80's. It should be in the mid 70's at the start. The humidity will be 60 - 70% Wind avgs about 5 mph. Doesn't sound quite so bad.

There are 3 stops planned. I may carry 3 bottles but there will be hydration refills available at the stops.

I gotta get some more HEED. I think something a little more than H2O is in order. I made up some GU using Smucker's Natrual Peanut butter, molasses, honey, cinnimon, and Nutella. It's pretty good.

I just don't want to be the albatross.

I think it would be great and I wouldn't mind doing it myself. I think it would be somewhat hot, but looking at the terrain you should get some wind to cool you off a little.

I think you will do fine. From your earlier post your riding group seems to be advanced and your abilities match theirs. I would suggest that you keep it in the little ring for the Moore Haven climb.:D I was not aware that Florida had that kind of climbing or scenic vistas.

If your jersey has three pockets then I would suggest putting an extra bottle of fluid in both the left and right pockets and filling the center pocket with a gel flask.

I'll plan on that. Have a look at this intimdating elevation profile. ;)

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/31573

I'll plan on that. Have a look at this intimdating elevation profile. ;)

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/31573

There is more elevation gain from my driveway to my living room than that ride. It is about as nice as it gets for a century.

I think you will do fine. From your earlier post your riding group seems to be advanced and your abilities match theirs. I would suggest that you keep it in the little ring for the Moore Haven climb.:D I was not aware that Florida had that kind of climbing or scenic vistas.

If your jersey has three pockets then I would suggest putting an extra bottle of fluid in both the left and right pockets and filling the center pocket with a gel flask.

That is harsh.:D You know the FL riders only have a big ring.:thumb:

Why on earth should you be nuts? Looks like a great ride although the heat and humidity look a bit harsh but you can do it.

Ride for Tyler... :thumb:

P.S.
What do the letters and numbers on the roadway in your first photo mean?

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/31573

Pancake City.

I would think it a good ride myself but for the sun all day, looks like zero shade anywhere.
Good luck and have fun.

Are the levee roads open to bikes all the time or only for this occasion?

That looks like a good ride.We mite try that trail later in the year when it is cooler.We will be camping not to far from there in Jan.

Are the levee roads open to bikes all the time or only for this occasion?

Don, they are open all the time. Google L.O.S.T.

Hermes, that's not harsh. THIS is harsh!


There is more elevation gain from my driveway to my living room than that ride. :lol:


Ride for Tyler...

P.S.
What do the letters and numbers on the roadway in your first photo mean?
Masperius, I will ride for Tyler! Great idea. As for the #s and letters, I'm not sure, but I imagine it is so they can survey the levee from the air after hurricanes and report any breeches. Google Lake Okeechobee hurricane. In 1928 a hurricane cause a massive flood killing over 2.000 people. After that they built the levees, and put the pathway to provide access. No motor vehicles are allowed except for emergency repairs.


That looks like a good ride.We mite try that trail later in the year when it is cooler.We will be camping not to far from there in Jan.
Wink, here's the rub, and being a FLA resident you can relate. As the weather cools, the winds pick up. You could be riding 50 mi into a head wind. I was supposed to do this last Jan but had to stay with my grandson in the hospital. The guys had a COLD NW headwind for the first 50 mi, and then it shifted to come from the east. It was brutal.

I think I'll take the heat and humidity.

I'll plan on that. Have a look at this intimdating elevation profile. ;)

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/31573

Looks like someone had a heart attack and flat lined!

Start hydrating the day before the ride- Drink before the ride- during the ride and after the ride. And if possible drink more often than that.

Same of Food. Take plenty and plan for an 8 hour ride. Then if you steam it- You have enough food to do another 20 miles afterwards.:innocent:

Take it steady. Grab as many wheels as you can that are not going too fast and Enjoy the ride.

FYI - This is billed as a 20 - 22 mph ride, 6 hrs riding, 7 hrs elapsed time. If you can't hold that, you are "un-invited." As it's a loop around a lake, there's no turning back after 58 miles.

I plan to eat right the day before with a big bowl of pasta Friday night. No booze for 2 days before. Lots of liquids before, during, and after. And I WILL suck wheel the entire way. If I decide to pull, it will be the last mile!

Forgot about Flat rides---Never done one myself.

65 to 70 mile mark may be bonk time. I normally take my one break about 60 to 65 miles. Have something a bit more substantial to eat- Take a full bottle with electrolites- stretch a bit and then go. Only takes a couple of minutes- 5 at the most so use this stop to top up on fuel.

Have fun and take pics.

Hey, I couldn't find the elevation thing on the link. All I saw was a thick red line at the bottom of the page. :)

Hey, I couldn't find the elevation thing on the link. All I saw was a thick red line at the bottom of the page. :)

Yeah, that little blip at about mile 60 is a nickel someone dropped on the road. :innocent:

Looks like an easy way to get in some big miles. Don't fret so much about the climbing. I find that RWGPS tends to overstate elevation gain by almost double. :)

Everyone laughs about the FL flat. Just remember there is no coasting down the hills, you can't stop turning the pedals. That is why I always look for the tall guys with wide shoulders and stay on their wheel at all cost. :) I plan to do the Rails to Trails ride on the Withlacoochee Trail on Oct 3. Another flat century ride that is a lot of fun.

Mark

Everyone laughs about the FL flat. Just remember there is no coasting down the hills, you can't stop turning the pedals. That is why I always look for the tall guys with wide shoulders and stay on their wheel at all cost. :) I plan to do the Rails to Trails ride on the Withlacoochee Trail on Oct 3. Another flat century ride that is a lot of fun.

Mark

My buddy John from The Villages will be there. I may too, depending on schedules.

Masperius, I will ride for Tyler! Great idea. As for the #s and letters, I'm not sure, but I imagine it is so they can survey the levee from the air after hurricanes and report any breeches. Google Lake Okeechobee hurricane. In 1928 a hurricane cause a massive flood killing over 2.000 people. After that they built the levees, and put the pathway to provide access. No motor vehicles are allowed except for emergency repairs.

I googled "Okeechobee" and it looks like you gave a plausible explanation.
Okeechobee = Big Water, 1 trillion gallons... You can say that again... :)
Thanks for the reply and have a great ride. :thumb:

That is flat - and 115 miles is a long way. Seems like you are prepared though but you will need to find a wheel to work with to maintain that speed (20+ mph) as you have planned. Also with a 7 hr max - no time to dally at rest stops. Good luck - you should do fine.

It's fast approaching. I'm feeling a lot better in that there are 60 riders signed up. There are several from my Club, and only 2 are stronger than me, despite my advanced age. I'm sure there will be others as well, so worse case I'll be in the "B" group if we get separated.

The ride organizer is very strong, but he's very adamant that everyone sticks to the 20 -22 pace.

Just got the bike re-fit, upgraded the brifters to Dura-Ace, and got new bar tape and a tune up. Hopefully the engine is as ready!

Sounds like it may be a much more enjoyable ride in the B group. :) Enjoy!

I'm feeling a lot better in that there are 60 riders signed up. There are several from my Club, and only 2 are stronger than me, despite my advanced age. I'm sure there will be others as well, so worse case I'll be in the "B" group if we get separated.

The ride organizer is very strong, but he's very adamant that everyone sticks to the 20 -22 pace.


With 60 riders being able to hide in the fold and hold the pace should be easy, that is if there are no strong cross winds. Should there be cross winds then be sure to have a bike between you and the wind if you are riding double file. Be careful in taking pulls, we all only have so many matches to burn and on a long ride like yours there will be plenty of "match strikes" used closing gaps or accelerating after intersections.

I think that you will "own the ride" since your fitness is good and you have thought through the whole event.:thumb: