Lance76

This is my first time doing the STP, and my riding partner just backed out after a pretty bad crash last month.

I'm really torn on how to end Day 1. I'm trying to balance getting extra mileage vs really enjoying the scene @ Centralia. This event will be very difficult for me, but I'd still really like to take advantage of the live music, beer tent/garden (MAYBE for one), and general festive atmosphere I'm expecting to see at Centralia College.

I've read a number of recommendations to make it to at least Winlock or Vader...

Assuming I would make it to Centralia around 3... any thoughts on hanging out in Centralia for 3 hours or so, then doing another 25 miles?

Any other suggestions on how to maximize the fun/festivities, while also making the ride as reasonably easy as possible.
(For reference, most i've ever ridden are 2 back-to-back 75 milers for an annual charity ride and I have to train like crazy to keep that from being miserable... though I am training harder than ever now)

Other things in consideration... I can't share a room due to light sleeping, toss and turn issues.. I need either my own tent, or own room.

Thanks!

geronimo2000

the second day from Centralia isn't bad and the camping on the college lawn there is a blast

Lance76

Thanks Geronimo.... but I'm thinking more and more, I'd like to get more than half done first day, so I can get to Portland earlier and have more time there where family is meeting me.

Gonna rephrase the question a bit (posted this on cascadia forum...)
Was hoping for some feedback to see if this is a good or bad idea.... I'm a first tim STP rider I'm trying to find the perfect blend of enjoying the fun/festivities while making the ride and painless as possible!! I've never done a single centure, though I have done back to back 75/75 mile supported events. My riding partner had to bail, so I'm on my own for this (coming form the East Coast).
I'm thinking that on the first day, I'd like to stop in Centralia for at least a few hours, enjoy the live music (pretty sure i read that somewhere), watch some tour de france, eat something, maybe even have a beer... I'm thinking i'd be there from around 2-5 pm. Then around 5, get my bike back from the corral, and bike to either Winlock or Vader, which would be another 20-25 miles, and stay at one of the options there (outdoor camping). I can't do shared room and pretty much all individual options in these areas are gone. If I get there by 7, I should have enough daylight to set up camp and have some dinner before crashing.
Then, although I hear there is a hill coming out of Vader, at least i only have 75-80 miles on day 2, and I've fully enjoyed Day 1.
Good idea or bad?
Thanks!

alove42

When I did it a few years ago, I did exactly what you are proposing. Got into Centralia about 3, spent a couple of hours at the beer garden "refueling", and rode another 10ish miles to the next town (can't remember the name) and had great, sit down dinner at a pub in town. The park there was quieter, and we got into Portland a bit earlier the next day for another round at the beer garden (I like beer).