cydewaze

I think it's your svelte, lightweight body and your uberleet compact crankset.

I'm feeling decent on hills these days, so we'll have to have a polka-dot jersey competition during this ride

I'll PM you my cell number btw.

MikeR

OK. I just posted to the Lancaster Bike Club yahoo group that I lurk in. I asked them for suggestions about a good place to meet up. I'll let you all know as soon as I get their ideas.

RoadToNowhere

On tonight's ride I talked with a couple of people who have done this ride...their advice is to plan to meet at the registration tent. But...I think cell #'s and some sort of banner or specific bunch of balloons would help.

Or...we could consider meeting off-site somewhere.

Mike...any chance you do the Hershey rides with the HBC? I seem to remember riding with someone with a "Mike" license plate on the back of his bike...

Grasschopper...on the climbs it's not about size, it's all about the "spin". Your work is probably paying off!

Beth

MikeR

I asked the LCB for suggestions:
I remember the tent. It was easy to find, near the ergistration, near the start, and there was room to the side for a group to hang around.
It would still be good to have a "BikeForums" sign, or something.

MikeR

That was probably me. I'm a member of the HBG, and ocasionally get down there for a ride. I don't know any one else 'dorky' enough to have a 'kids' bicycle license plate.

lrzipris

Meeting at the help area is a good idea, as this ride typically gets 1000's of participants, as I recall, and the parking is somewhat scattered. Be prepared for roads crowded with cyclists of all skill levels, particularly early on, when all the routes go the same way. Also be careful when the routes split--last year, there was not much warning, and people were all over the road, turning right, no, left, no, which way???? Could have been mayhem.

Have a great ride, folks.

I'd like to second the suggestion someone made earlier about the Central Bucks Bike Club's Covered Bridges Ride on October 16. I think it's one of the best events in the SE PA/NJ/Del area: scenic back roads, well-supported, good food at the stops and afterwards. (Disclosure: I'm active in CBBC.)

MikeR

I was there last year so my experience is limited but recent.

There were close to 2000 riders last year. I did not see a mass start - it was more of a show-and-go with people directing everyone very efficiently. There was no waiting around in crowds. My impression was that it was spread out enough to feel uncrowded but busy enough that there was always a rider in front so all I had to do was follow the jersey up ahead.

I heard that the route markings have been recently improved. The road was marked well. Large route changes were also marked with big roadside signs. Potential problem areas had volunteers warning and directing riders. One of the main things I liked about this ride is that I did not have to keep checking my cue sheet and I never got lost.

Grasschopper

Ok you are signed up to make the banner. Maybe you can post a photo of it here before the ride so we know what to look for...

MikeR

Hey Grasschopper, you have my cell number - right?
Feel free to send it to the others via PM.

Grasschopper

Yea once I get everyone's I will send out a PM to everyone with a list.

mirona

Yay! BannerBoy! I'll post a picture of whatever crazy thing I come up with.

GypsyAngel

Hi Y'all...
I am a fairly new cyclist.... trying to get in shape, bought a road bike this summer. And I don't like hills.... LOL... maybe some day.
To those of you who have done this ride before... do you think it's a decent ride for a newish cyclist? I'm afraid of looking like an idiot in front of a gazillion people as I struggle to keep up. Part of me says "not all of the 2000 people there can be in better shape than me" and part of me says.... "Yikes... what if I don't make it up a climb."
Right now I can comfortably ride 25-30 miles but suck at hills. (I admit I avoid them )
Does anyone know the route this follows? I wouldn't mind looking at it ahead of time.
Thanks...
Gypsy.
RoadToNowhere.... thanks for the heads up on this thread.

galen_52657

I talked to my gurl and she wants to go. But, we will most likely not pre-register but wait and check the weather and show up if it's not supposed to rain.

pseudobrit

This area of Lancaster County is not very hilly. Either go south into Pequea or north near Lebanon (where lies the destructive beast that is Texter Mountain Road) and you'll see some real hills.

62 miles is gravy. Of any long ride, the first few dozen miles are the most difficult. After that, you stop noticing.

I'll likely do the same since it's only a 15-minute drive from where I live.

pseudobrit

Come on up. The only good thing about Lancaster is the riding and scenery. It's the only thing that makes me want to stay here.

Grasschopper

Same deal for me...Since it is past the pre-registration cut off I will just show up and pay...For sure I am not driving for 2.5 hours each way to ride in the rain.

GypsyAngel - Judging by the MS150 I just did and people I know from my work that are going for SURE you wont be the slowest rider out there. A tip for you...you aren't going to get any better at hills if you avoid them. I consider myself pretty poor at hills due to my weight (218lbs) and while I am not fast up any hill I also never quit on a hill...just keep turning those pedals over even if you are only going 5 mph...you will get up it and you will be stronger for it. Now go out there on your next ride and find a hill and go up it...if it didn't kill you ride down and then ride back up...this will make you a stronger rider. My wife doesn't like the hills either but she is getting better.

cydewaze

Looks like I'll have my OCLV back for this ride, so I can finally ditch the spare.

KirkeIsWaiting

me too, Galen.

cydewaze

Great! Now I'll prolly get beaten up for all the toenail fungus jokes.

KirkeIsWaiting

No sweetie.
Jess and I will work that out so that you get a lovely red manicure/pedicure in your sleep the night before the ride!

GypsyAngel

Grasschopper.... I know you are absolutely right about the hills. UGH! I need to work on them. Thanks for the words of advice! I will repeat over and over in my head "just keep turning those pedals".

cydewaze

Oye!

MikeR

Hi, Gypsy. Welcome!
Don’t worry about looking like an idiot, there are all kinds of riders on the CBMC. The first part of you is right – you will pass some and some will pass you. I hear “On your left” a lot more than I say it.

Some people have mentioned a pace of 17 – 20 mph. That’s too fast for me over 60 miles, so I ‘m looking for some in the Bike Forums group who prefer a slower pace than that.

This ride is not very hilly – just a couple, and NO mountain. Last year I saw some people walking up the biggest hill. No one thought anything of it. I can usually pedal up a hill but I’m about as slow as a walker. I’ve seen others who can fly past me on the flats and they had to push up the hill. If anyone I ride with had to walk I’d wait at the top – no problem.

I don’t know the route but the Lancaster Bike Club may have it posted somewhere on it’s web site.

You might try upping your milage on the next 2 weekends. Then take it easy for 3 or 4 days before the ride.

What I’m trying to say is. Come on along – it’ll be fun!

MikeR

I have a lot of hills around me. They used to be hard until I started riding in the winter. I discovered that the hill was a LOT easier when you can't see it in the dark. Most of the hill is in your mind.

A hill is nothing more than a slow version of the flat without the wind. As a plus you get to have a downhill

Grasschopper

MikeR - I think you may be over estimating the 17-20 MPH coments. I know I was refering to flat riding in a group...if you haven't done much group riding you use a LOT less energy when you aren't leading. I don't know about others but I am just there for fun so if there are some that can't handle the speed it is fine by me to slow it down a bit.