raydog

I've mentioned a little in past posts but here's more. On June 14th, me and a riding buddy are embarking on a "8 centuries in 8 days" tour....from Reno to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Our wives will pick us up at the end (after two days stay and serious food at the North Lodge!)
We will both be pulling Bob trailers and sleeping on the ground most of the nights.
Our rigs are good to go (my touring bike is an aluminum MotoBecan w/carbon fork, front triple and 10 spd rear cassette.
ANYWAYS, the purpose of this post is to talk about my new bicycle! I just bought a Pinarello F2 and tried it on yesterdays century. I can't believe how comfortable and forgiving a full carbon bike is! I've never riden a higher end road bike like this one before and was taken back by how great I felt after the ride. I pushed it the whole route, stopped for a latte and bisquit at the half way point and all in all, what a super experience. BTW, I'm 63 and 210 lbs.
I left @ 0730 and finished @ 1330 hrs, including 2 stops, by 1400, I had showered and was watching TV.....I love this sport!
I really feel confident re: the 800 mile thing....knowing I'll have many hours each evening for rest and recupe. Raydog

Machka 

Glad to hear that you're doing some training in preparation for your adventure! So next weekend ... are you riding back-to-back centuries? At least one, if not both, of those should be with your trailer and gear.

And you've got a long weekend coming up toward the end of May, right? I'd recommend doing back-to-back-to-back centuries on that weekend ... or at least back-to-back centuries and a 100K on the third day.

It's one thing to ride a century ... it's another thing to get back on the bicycle the next day and ride another one.

mjoekingz28

Good luck and don't forget all the elevation you will encounter. That stuff can really slow you down and bring me to a halt.

raydog

Darn! I knew someone would remind me of the obvious! Seriously, thank you for that advice, I really need to do a least a two day double with trailer....including camping the middle night. The reality is....it snowed here yesterday! Maybe Spring will finally occur this week. I'll report after "the test double". Raydog

capejohn

That's really hardcore in my book. I ran into the FANY ride in upstate NY two years ago and they rode centuries or close to them for eight consecutive days. They were on their third or fourth day and everyone seemed fine.

You will have a great time no doubt.

raydog

Thanks for the comments, I'm happy to report that today I took off my 700x25 tires and replaced them with.....rear 32cm and front 28cm. I can't believe how much smoother the ride is, now I realize why so many touring types run the 28's and 32's! I especially like the addl load capacity of the rear 32 with the trailer being pulled. This Saturday I'll be doing a "dry run" 80 miler with full trailer/cargo (in the Graeagle area of the Sierras) , we'll see! Raydog