Took on the 'Hill'
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Took on the 'Hill'
I am training for the STP and planned a routed using my new Edge 705 around the Puyallup hill. The hill was not as bad as I expected, although it was not 90-100F this last Sunday. If that is the worst part of the ride then it should be a piece of cake. Of course my son [stoker on our tandem] wished the length of the ride was shorter and we had lunch before the hill. I guess living off James Street hill in Kent makes all hills lame.
Now I need to train to sit on a saddle for >14 hrs in one day. That seems like the tough part of this ride.
Now I need to train to sit on a saddle for >14 hrs in one day. That seems like the tough part of this ride.
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I am training for the STP and planned a routed using my new Edge 705 around the Puyallup hill. The hill was not as bad as I expected, although it was not 90-100F this last Sunday. If that is the worst part of the ride then it should be a piece of cake. Of course my son [stoker on our tandem] wished the length of the ride was shorter and we had lunch before the hill. I guess living off James Street hill in Kent makes all hills lame.
Now I need to train to sit on a saddle for >14 hrs in one day. That seems like the tough part of this ride.
Now I need to train to sit on a saddle for >14 hrs in one day. That seems like the tough part of this ride.
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(Life is too short to play crappy guitars) 2006 Raleigh Cadent 3.0, 1977 Schwinn Volare, 2010 Windsor tourist. ( I didn't fall , I attacked the floor)
(Life is too short to play crappy guitars) 2006 Raleigh Cadent 3.0, 1977 Schwinn Volare, 2010 Windsor tourist. ( I didn't fall , I attacked the floor)
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The Puyallup hill is no big deal. What's tough are the rolling hills after Chehalis, after 100 miles, in the (hot) afternoon sun. Just make sure your stoker keeps pedaling on the hills.
Last summer my son loved to ride up hills on his tag-along behind my bike. But I eventually discovered that he stopped pedaling and was just along for the ride!
Good luck.
Last summer my son loved to ride up hills on his tag-along behind my bike. But I eventually discovered that he stopped pedaling and was just along for the ride!
Good luck.
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As you know it can be a handful to control a tandem. With all the people around it will hard to maintain a straight line while looking behind us for a blue Rodriguez. But if you should see a Yellow/Blue Campagnolo/Kuwahara with a whinning 16 year old in that back, that would be me.
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I wish my 17.5 y.o. son would join me on our tandem ... we're close enough in size that we could trade off stoking/captaining. Oh, well, so much for getting him to do the work for me.
Last edited by moleman76; 05-21-09 at 01:09 AM. Reason: corrected typo
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As you know it can be a handful to control a tandem. With all the people around it will hard to maintain a straight line while looking behind us for a blue Rodriguez. But if you should see a Yellow/Blue Campagnolo/Kuwahara with a whinning 16 year old in that back, that would be me.
Looking behind you? You mean as you're pulling away? Oh, that hurts (but probably true.)
#9
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The Puyallup hill is not hard at all, more like complicated because of the number of riders that you're passing and weaving through. While it would be nice to normally pass on the left, some rider underestimate themselves and remain on the left and don't get back on the right. But thats part of the game because they're trying to pass someone as well.
Either way you do it, take it easy on the "hill".
I agree-- later in the ride past Centralia is where the rolling hills really play a part. Its more of attrition that gets riders because of heat plus all the excitement energy in the morning.
Either way you do it, take it easy on the "hill".
I agree-- later in the ride past Centralia is where the rolling hills really play a part. Its more of attrition that gets riders because of heat plus all the excitement energy in the morning.
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Just joking. Went ot the last STP meeting at REI last night and I am seriously thinking I may skip the start. We are staying at a close by hotel and may ride down to the starting line to experience it but most likely not start with all the others. Sure would hate to cause a major pileup. But if I should change my mind and cause a pile up I just blame it on the stoker.
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Get yer tag and everything then start in Kent or Auburn if thats allowed. I know its kind of cheating but as long as you don't try to pass off as if you did the start in Seattle I don't see a problem with that. I have heard of some really bad crashes at the start and I'm not sure if I would want to get mixed up in all that insanity.
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Don't skip the start, just line up near the rear of your group, take your time and wait for however much street space you want. That way you won't have to worry so much about being overtaken until they let the next batch loose 10 or 15 minutes later ... you'll be focussing on the pavement cracks along Lake Washington by then (just kidding). Oh, and if you don't like riding on grating-style bridges, there is a solid section at the far right side on the University Bridge.
Do expose yourself to a few larger group rides so you will be more at ease, before the STP.
Do expose yourself to a few larger group rides so you will be more at ease, before the STP.