Beverly

I was really tempted to sign up for the RAIN ride posted by Jet Travis earlier this week. I didn't think I could handle 160 miles in a day so I'll be going for back-to-back century rides

One of my riding friends called earlier today to see if I wanted to do this ride. Guess I need to drag the trainer out and start getting in shape for the event. There will be three of us and I'm definitely the slowest of the group

Anyone else doing this ride?

https://www.tosrv.org/08/index.htm

BlazingPedals

I've done TOSRV before. I wouldn't rule out doing it again, but I have a problem with doing a ride that's deliberately scheduled so as to maximize the possibility of bad weather. Chances are something like 97% that you'll get rain and headwind, with the other 3% that you'll only get the rain.

outashape

I've done the ride about 4 times. With the large break park/break areas and lunch, each day is divided into 4 - 25 mile sections. Not too bad. But, the weather, now...I've have almost had my bike blown away from me, while I was off the seat at a stop sign and yesssss, it does seem to rain at least one day each year. It is a nice way to start the year and Dalmac 4 days of 100 miles is another way to end the summer season.

BP, don't you belong to TCBA?

Hermes

Holy chamois butter Batman. Break out the rain gear as well. FYI...SKS full fenders work great but the partial SKS clip-ons are okay. The clip-ons work with the Madone.

Tom Bombadil

From reading the final reports of the past 6 years, they seemed to indicate that there were two years where it didn't rain either day. 1 year of where it briefly rained one day and was sunny on the other. Two years where it rained most of one day and was clear the other, and one year where it rained both days.

That totals up to 12 days of riding, 7 in good weather, 1 in mostly good weather, and 4 in rain. A pretty fair chance of rain overall, but you could get lucky. They also noted that there were strong winds from time to time, and at least one thunderstorm.

Not much you can do about this in the Columbus area. The chance of rain on any single day from May 1 to August 31 is about the same. The odds of rain would decrease if they moved it to Sept/Oct.

I saw that they get hundreds of out of state riders.

Louis

I've often been tempted because it's fairly close.

Back to back centuries never turn me on especially early in the season.
Cold rain and headwinds are almost guaranteed on TOSRV.
I'm a wimp.

Jet Travis

As a fellow wimp I applaud your good sense and judgment.

BlazingPedals

Yes, and I experienced the 8+ inches we got at Glen Arbor in 2000, on the Quint!

Beverly

I'm not fond of riding in bad weather either

We'll have a personal SAG available if needed.

zonatandem

TOSRV? Rode it backin 1975 on a tandem. No rain either day!
A good way to ruin Mother's Day!

Big Paulie

+1

I think the whole wimp movement is gaining traction...

Speedskater

1975 was my first TOSRV, very nice weather. Most of the next few years had nice weather, so rider count including bandits drifted towards 10,000. Then they scheduled the Columbus pro golf tournament on the same weekend. The golf tournament attracted bad weather until they rescheduled the tournament. But by then the rider count was way down. Each year's turnout is dependent on the previous few years weather.

dewaday

Hey Speedskater, you the speedskater I see blasting around Valley Parkway and Rt. 82 on a regular basis?

MKahrl

The average high and low for Columbus OH in May is 73 and 50. Pretty nice actually. I've ridden it for eight years now and it has never rained all day. When does rain it's an hour or two of light sprinkle with the rest of the day being a bit gray. But there are also lots of years when it is sunny and warm.

We ride in much worse weather in March and April getting ready for TOSRV but it's a good way to sort out your foul weather gear. By the time warmer May weather arrives you are ready for it.

Average wind is 9 mph and average direction is coming from the south. I will confess that 100 miles into a headwind can slow you down but this is where your months of practice riding in close formation pays off. And riding 100 miles with a strong tailwind is an absolute joy to experience.

TOSRV is the Granddaddy of the big rides. There are rides that are more challenging, more scenic, more clement, larger, whatever; they just don't have the cachet. It's forty years of cycling tradition done on a grand scale and in grand style.

Beverly, you will have fun.

Speedskater

Probably not me, I skated between Rt. 82 and Rt. 42 on the road in the mid 1990, then with more skaters the Park Rangers started to frown on skating in the road. I still bike there I start at Lake Eire and head to Rt 21.
Now I skate on the North part of the Tow Path, from Harvard to Rockside. Also skate the old railroad track from Elyria to Oberlin. But this time of year it's mostly ice. We are having a big race this weekend (Jan. 26 & 27) at Cleveland Heights with free admission. I just spent Monday evening at the rink marking the track. Friday I'll set-up the electronic timing and the PA system. And do the web-page.
https://www.ohiospeedskating.com/
Saturday and Sunday I'll race, then tear everything down.

stapfam

So why not get the personal sag on the RAIN ride and see if you can do 160 miles. I do not like rain but have to ride in it. Can assure you that 100 miles in rain is worse than 200 miles on a good day.

All you have to do is train for saddle time- so set the bike up on the trainer and start at Breakfast time- 15 mph all day long and you can do 160 miles without problems. Mind you the housework might have to go and the gardening and feeding the cats and-----