seypat

Temp thread highjack. Robbie, tell me what became of the Fiesta Biathlon. Is it still an event or just a memory now. That event had a lot of potential. it was a good low key event.

RobbieTunes

Funny you should mention that. It's exactly the same day as Thunder Ridge. As you would know, it's a quality venue, quality course, etc, with a volunteer "pool" that is a triathlon club.


Sounds like a good recipe, but the attitude of the triathlon club is one that leaves a bitter taste. They are too well-healed to relate, too self-centered to see, and too arrogant to care about the people who do the event once or twice and then decide the event is just not worth the hassle of dealing with those folks.


It was founded on a shoestring, put in place by well-meaning people who wanted an event, and is sponsored by a dedicated bike shop and restaurant. Everything was there for a reasonably-priced event with tons of potential, and the organizers pretty much blew it. I gave it my last shot last year, the 30th event, with my co-founders.


This year, I told them I'm riding with friends and other cool people in Virginia. One of them is you.

seypat

At least it is still an event. Just think what someone like bike Mama could do with that event. As you said, quality venue, quality course and all of those college kids to draw from. Perfect event for someone that wants to get into some form of cycling/running. Plus, with the history, one of those "low key/unheard of" events that the heavy hitters in the sports can show up at and compete against each other without all the drama associated with a big time event. It is sad what Triathlon has become. It needs to move back to its roots.

After I posted yesterday, I found their Facebook page. Their Facebook photo has a red and white Ironman front and center! Old School.
https://www.facebook.com/fiestabiathlon17/


For anyone that does not know about the Fiesta Biathlon, maybe, just maybe, Robbie T can tell the story. It is a fantastic story about North Carolina running/cycling back in the day. That story is worthy of a book. Maybe one day before its too late, while everyone is still alive, Robbie and the other "people" can get together with a writer and get something down on record. That might be a good project for someone from ECU.

seypat

Three weeks until the ride. I have been doing no exercise for about 2 weeks. I thought I had damaged a knee. The first ortho appointment I could get was this morning. The x-rays showed no real damage, so I am back to it! I will see everyone there. Robbie, I will send you the hotel info about a week out. It's amazing how much better your walk gets when you find there is nothing seriously wrong.

rccardr 

Should be fun. Looks like a few of us from the DC area who have done this ride in the past have convinced a handful of others up here to give it a shot.

Then legend continues!

Spaghetti Legs 

Anyone looking for an early taste of the Blue Ridge can come on down this Sunday. Finish at the Devils Backbone Brewery.

https://www.bikereg.com/33152

rdrage73

I signed up for the 75 mile ride this year. As a Richmonder, I don't get a chance to do much climbing and certainly nothing for an extended period. I'm looking for gearing suggestions from those who've done this ride. For reference, I use 39/53 with 12-27 10 speed cassette, usually an A pace with an avg cadence of 97 on solo rides. I am fully aware I will not be coming anywhere close to my normal pace for this ride and I'm ok with that. Thanks in advance.

rccardr 

If you're relatively strong, you can do the 75 with a 39/27 combo, especially the long 13 mile uphill pull. Us older guys go with a 34/25. Larger problem is the Hills of Otter (all four of 'em), which although relatively short are very steep and abrupt so no momentum to help you up to the top. That's where the 34/34 combo comes in handy.


So a switch to a compact crank would likely do the trick for you, or a swap to a Deore RD with a 34 tooth big cog. Personally, I'm bringing both, but I'm also 65 years old & 200 pounds.

Spaghetti Legs 

I'm planning on riding steel with a 39-26 this year. I consider myself an average climber, weigh 165#, in decent shape right now. I test rode the bike on Thunder Ridge a couple of weeks ago and only got on the 26 a couple of times. Like Doc said, the short hills on Charlemont and Otterville are steeper, but not soul suckers.

I'm trying to remember the hills around Richmond - Riverside near the Nickel Bridge, of course Libby Hill, 23rd street downtown. Those will give you a taste of the short climbs.

BTW that ride I posted in #31 above was horrible. Hot, humid weather, and very poorly supported. Anybody who is nervous about SOTR because of that can take comfort that the climbing is easier and way more in way of fuel, fun, and moral support!

seypat

Richmonder here, as well. I always sign up for the 100(hoping) but choose the 75 at the turning point. At the 65 rest stop you have to choose your route. If you are feeling strong, you could still try 100. I am not the right person to ask for gearing advice. I noticed some of the early door prizes were given to Richmonders. Go back and check the door prize email from Paula. You might know those people and could get gearing advice from them. As for me, short and stocky(fat) so I rocked a triple 50/36/28 and a 30T big cog last year. It is better for me to err on the low side. If you have ever done Old Gun Road or Winterfield on the south side of the James, the Blue Ridge climb is like 13 miles of that. As rccardr says, what will wear you out are those short, steep, v shaped climbs after you leave the Blue Ridge Parkway. If you can roll around the Richmond area on a 53/39 and 12/27 at that cadence, the compact should be plenty. The compact and 12/27 would be a lot better than the 53/39 and a bigger cassette out back.

seypat

So I hear, the 3 sisters route in Ashland has some suffering on it. You might try that one for some practice in the next couple of weeks. Three Sisters Loop at Bikely.com

I live on the south side of the river and don't venture much on the north side. I did do this ride last year.
2017 Heart of Virginia Century
That ride had some decent climbs. If you are riding that area on your current setup, you won't have any problems if you go to a compact for SOTR.

Spaghetti Legs 

Yeah Pat, Blunts Bridge Rd, on that 3 sisters loop outside Ashland, is one I was trying to remember. That has some good hills.

seypat

The Patrick Henry 1/2 marathon course uses some of those roads. It takes place in late August so, hot and humid. At mile 10, you turn right on Blunts Bridge and run that to James St. Then you run all of that big, long, when will it end hill on James St. until it crests in Ashland. All of the runners talk about how difficult it is. But when you get there, everyone is walking up it. It really is a nice walking rest break so you can finish strong in the last mile.

Last year it was really hot and humid with no cloud cover. They had a hose out at the top of the hill spraying the runners down.

rdrage73

Thank you all for the replies. I did the Operation Rise and Conquer ride on Saturday that included the Three Sisters which I believe, top out at about 12%. I have opted to go with a compact setup and stay with my current 12-27 cassette for the SOTR. See you all out there.

rccardr 

Good call.
See you there!

Spaghetti Legs 

Too much radio silence here. 2 days out, weather looking good for Sunday.

I'm going to look at a De Rosa late this AM, but will be around this afternoon if any early arrivals want to do short leg stretcher. Drop me a line.

seypat

It's been a busy week for me. So, I'm just doing what has to be done this morning......and working on bikes the rest of the afternoon! I have a mixte I need to finish for my daughter/wife. I'm rolling into town tomorrow in time to do the short 2pm ride. See everyone there.

rccardr 

Probably a couple of chairs left for a 5pm reservation at La Villa on Timberlake. Solid Italian cuisine, good carb load for the Sunday ride.

Send me a text at 7039873346 if you want to grab one...otherwise wait in the line for a table.

seypat

Just checking in. Good seeing everyone. It means we all made it through another year on this side of the grass. After listening to Robbie's explanation of doing the 100 instead of the 75, I decided I would try it if I got to the cutoff rest stop feeling ok. I got there with no problems, so what the heck. I made the turn to the hundred route and ventured on. Less than a mile into it you encounter The Sausage Grinder. I'm thinking maybe I should head back to the 75, but I didn't. Stuck it out and finished the 100. That route has some nastier climbs, but also lots of big gear hammering. Lots of going up before the last rest stop. Overall, I probably felt better after finishing the 100 route than the 75 finishes. Now I am going to pull the seat post and fork and let any water drain/dry out.

rccardr 

Very impressive, Pat- that's a tough extra 25 miles. Robbie and I did the 75, that was just exactly enough.
Rainy, cold- every year presents a new challenge. But the Bananadale operated flawlessly!

Spaghetti Legs 

Great seeing you guys. I was pleased with the weather, compared to the heat and humidity we've had around here recently and roads were a little dryer than I expected. Nice work on the 100 Seypat!

Did not see any other DT shifters besides ours out there. I'm proud to say the Merckx really strutted its stuff on the descents, felt like I was skiing!

seypat

Thanks, Doc. The cool weather makes all the difference for me. It keeps the engine from overheating. That and the pickles/mustard. They do help with cramps. Probably that brine that the pickles come in. I never got really cold or hot. The hands got a little cold on the descents. Except for the loose left crank, my bike was money. I tightened it up, and all was good.

seypat

I got a lot of comments on my bike. One was, "boy, you are brave, is that an old Schwinn?" People were digging the bar end shifters. I guess some people have only seen them on tri bikes. Really impressed when I told them they were first gen. Dura Ace. They were also digging my "custom" 50/36/28 crankset. I still have not had anyone ask me why I ride with cages and straps as the first question. It always you need to get some clipless pedals/shoes first. 8 years riding and not one "why" question first.

I think your analogy of skiing is a very good description. You looked like a pro rolling along with the rest of the fast riders.

seypat

Update. There is/was some water in the seat tube. May pull the BB and let it air for a few days. Haven't pulled the fork yet. That bike has one of those mid 80's Japanese headsets with the funky 3 notch lockring. They are hard to adjust. I have a Tange Levin ready for the change. The water check gives me a reason to change it.

rccardr 

No water in the seat tube, but it took a while to clean up the Bananadale today. Did a full rebuild on the Ultegra 6700 hubs while I had everything apart, and considering that they have over 6,000 miles on them, they were in amazing condition- no visible wear or track at all!


Anyhoo, here are a couple of pics taken during the ride. With all the rain and whatnot, didn't take the camera out of the Ziploc very often.


View from partway up Thunder Ridge. It's hard to picture just how long this climb is- 13 miles, average grade about 5%:



I've learned that if you tell Robbie it's OK to smile, he actually does it. Sometimes.
Yes, in the second pic that is a hard boiled egg lollipop he is holding...