My wife has agreed to do the STP this year. This is fucking huge for her.
So, for anyone out there who is in the same position as she is, I guess I'm doing training sessions for beginners this year.
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derrickito
Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 9:08 pm
now with 50 percent more EVILJoined: 22 Jul 2005Posts: 10566
i think im in for STP again this year. training rides on sundays sound like they should be started pretty soon
you doing one day or two days sean?
im going to plan for one day again.
anyone else in this year?
Finn
Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 1:07 am
AlabamaJoined: 15 Sep 2006Posts: 303Location: Central District
I should probably use the Google for this, but WHEN is the STP?
If I should find myself on a brand new geared bike by mid-April or so, could this be physical therapy? Either way, barring doctor's orders, I'm up for cultivating some life experience.
SeditiousCanary
Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 1:29 am
sorry, can't make it!Joined: 26 Jan 2006Posts: 2315Location: Fremont Troll
I've never done it, or trained for it, but I can see doing it. I wonder if I will die...
gsbarnes
Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 2:15 am
Joined: 15 Aug 2006Posts: 2666Location: No Fun Town, USA
SeditiousCanary wrote:
I've never done it, or trained for it, but I can see doing it. I wonder if I will die...
I did it last year. What I always tell people is that, obvious disabilities to the contrary, anyone can do the STP. Say, if someone put a gun to your head, and said they'd kill you if you didn't ride a bike 207 relatively flat miles in two days, you bet you'd do it.
The question is how you'd feel after you're done. What do you have to do to your bike, your legs, your arms, your butt, so that you'll be able to walk around and ride your bike the next day? That's what training helps you figure out. If you already regularly ride centuries, or if you don't give a damn how you feel the morning after, do it without training. Otherwise, do yourself a favor and train for it. The main problem with training is it takes a hell of a lot of time.
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gsbarnes
Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 2:20 am
Joined: 15 Aug 2006Posts: 2666Location: No Fun Town, USA
Oh, and to answer Derrick's question, my wife says she'll probably do it, which means the only excuse I have for not doing it in two days with her is my doing it one day on my own.
If I didn't have to train for it, I'd be much more enthusiastic about it. But my body won't let me get away with that.
_________________ I have always thought in the back of my mind: Cheese and Onions
lieutenantsean
Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 8:06 am
Joined: 10 Oct 2005Posts: 1255
we're doing it in two. My wife has never ridden more than 30 miles in a day. Much training needs to take place. I'm not sure how we are going to train for this with two kids.
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gsbarnes
Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 10:10 am
Joined: 15 Aug 2006Posts: 2666Location: No Fun Town, USA
lieutenantsean wrote:
we're doing it in two. My wife has never ridden more than 30 miles in a day. Much training needs to take place. I'm not sure how we are going to train for this with two kids.
Also having two kids, we have the same problem.
Our two potential solutions: find a local responsible babysitter who wants a lot of work on weekend days, or trade off with another couple that are training (3 ride, 1 watches the kids).
Also, once the days start getting long in May, it's pretty easy to go out on solo 3-4 hour rides after work to get the mileage in. I got pretty good at (and pretty sick of) riding out to Marymoor and back on the BGT/Sammamish Trail (40 miles RT from my house).
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lieutenantsean
Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 10:36 am
Joined: 10 Oct 2005Posts: 1255
gsbarnes wrote:
Also having two kids, we have the same problem.
Our two potential solutions: find a local responsible babysitter who wants a lot of work on weekend days, or trade off with another couple that are training (3 ride, 1 watches the kids).
Also, once the days start getting long in May, it's pretty easy to go out on solo 3-4 hour rides after work to get the mileage in. I got pretty good at (and pretty sick of) riding out to Marymoor and back on the BGT/Sammamish Trail (40 miles RT from my house).
The four of us should get together and work something out. Also, we have a trail-a-bike and a trailer for a smaller kid. Perhaps this is a good excuse to come to the port and chocolate party.
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henry
Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 11:13 am
somewhat piggishJoined: 05 Aug 2005Posts: 5415Location: on porch with shotgun
I'll be doing it with my (rather stodgy old) dad and maybe my (Wharton attending, Carbon riding, spandex wearing) brother. Dad's probably only up to the two day, so that's probably what i'll do too.
I did it a couple years ago when i'd just started riding bikes and was riding a 30lb hybrid. I made it, but didn't feel just real great afterward.
Joined: 15 Aug 2006Posts: 2666Location: No Fun Town, USA
lieutenantsean wrote:
gsbarnes wrote:
Also having two kids, we have the same problem.
Our two potential solutions: find a local responsible babysitter who wants a lot of work on weekend days, or trade off with another couple that are training (3 ride, 1 watches the kids).
Also, once the days start getting long in May, it's pretty easy to go out on solo 3-4 hour rides after work to get the mileage in. I got pretty good at (and pretty sick of) riding out to Marymoor and back on the BGT/Sammamish Trail (40 miles RT from my house).
The four of us should get together and work something out. Also, we have a trail-a-bike and a trailer for a smaller kid. Perhaps this is a good excuse to come to the port and chocolate party.
It wouldn't hurt to try. I'm in NE Seattle (guess you have the address) and have a 3- and 6-year old. By all means come to the party; the more the merrier
We also have a trail-a-bike and a trailer, and I considered a third solution, where the parent(s) tow the kids. There are a few problems with that: kids could be too young, or too old (and want to ride themselves) or just not up to long rides being towed (particularly if it rains) I think it would work for shorter rides, but for longer rides you basically have to train the kids while you're training yourselves, and there's a good shot that one or both of them just doesn't have the temperament for it.
You especially have to watch a kid on a Trail-A-Bike. On one ride back from Vashon Island last year, my (then) 5-year old was about to doze off, which would not have been good. And I'd just asked him if he was tired, and he said no. Sometimes kids don't know when they need to take a break.
_________________ I have always thought in the back of my mind: Cheese and Onions
lieutenantsean
Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 11:46 am
Joined: 10 Oct 2005Posts: 1255
Our kids are about the same age. Two and six.
The two little ones aren't a problem. Our daughter (the two year old) will happily ride in the trailer all day. The older one on the trail-a-bike is a little tougher.
I'll see if my wife wants to come to the party. We can start figuring things out then.
Sharing baby sitting duties among the four of us may be the best option.
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derrickito
Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 12:44 pm
now with 50 percent more EVILJoined: 22 Jul 2005Posts: 10566
i did it in 2005, one day. before training for this, i had never done more than about 20 miles on a bike, but with adequate training (that started about now) i managed to do a one day STP. on my training, i never did more than 100 miles in a day, so STP was an enigma going into it, but i pulled it off
id suggest looking over the training mileage lower on that page, it's a pretty damn good guide on how many miles you should be piling on for training.
lieutenantsean
Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 1:09 pm
Joined: 10 Oct 2005Posts: 1255
My wife won't actually be able to start training until we get her new bike built. I'm hoping to have everything together by the end of February. Then just start slowly adding miles on as we go.
I've done the STP twice and that sort of mileage numerous times. I could do it next month.
My wife, on the other hand... She hasn't fought that particular mental battle and isn't prone to just jumping in to things like I do. Less adventure but also less pain and grief. It's a technique.
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gsbarnes
Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 1:16 pm
Joined: 15 Aug 2006Posts: 2666Location: No Fun Town, USA
Cascade also puts on Training Seminars. I attended one last year, and I thought it was helpful, not so much because they taught you a lot of stuff (although they did show a slideshow which gives you a reasonable overview of what the ride is like), but because their underlying message was: you can do it.
If you've never done it before, and don't know that you can do it, you could get discouraged in a lot of ways. For example, I went in for a bike fitting at Group Health, and the PT was telling me all sorts of reasons why my bike was no good and I'd be too slow, etc., etc. I just ignored her, but I can imagine for some other people, that would be pretty discouraging.
_________________ I have always thought in the back of my mind: Cheese and Onions
lieutenantsean
Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 1:30 pm
Joined: 10 Oct 2005Posts: 1255
I've never been to anything like that. However, I use stubborness and a high tolerance for physical discomfort the way regular people use talent and preparation.
Screw a bunch of people telling you your gear isn't adequate. If your bike fits you and you don't mind riding it all day, your equipment is adequate.
Here's my vision. It'd be cool if a bunch of us could do this together. Support each other, keep the general tone of the ride fun. I'm planning on crashing at the park in Centralia. Those big trees and soft grass are great for sleeping under.
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Hayduke
Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 7:48 pm
Joined: 01 Feb 2006Posts: 677Location: Seattle, WA
lieutenantsean wrote:
I use stubborness and a high tolerance for physical discomfort the way regular people use talent and preparation.
That is enough out of you Hooayh.
gsbarnes
Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 8:48 pm
Joined: 15 Aug 2006Posts: 2666Location: No Fun Town, USA
lieutenantsean wrote:
Here's my vision. It'd be cool if a bunch of us could do this together. Support each other, keep the general tone of the ride fun. I'm planning on crashing at the park in Centralia. Those big trees and soft grass are great for sleeping under.
Sounds good, but I'll have to defer most questions to my wife.
Except for sleeping arrangements, where I'm going to insist on a mattress this year. My aged joints demand it. Friends of mine stayed last year with (I think) 4-H families that rented tiny mobile homes to riders. We'll probably go this route, but otherwise try to stay riding with some subset of the folks we know --- keeping a large group together on STP is apparently nearly impossible, but splitting up into smaller groups that occasionally recombine works out well.
_________________ I have always thought in the back of my mind: Cheese and Onions
lieutenantsean
Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 9:09 pm
Joined: 10 Oct 2005Posts: 1255
Hayduke wrote:
lieutenantsean wrote:
I use stubborness and a high tolerance for physical discomfort the way regular people use talent and preparation.
That is enough out of you Hooayh.
It's more like I'm living proof how far a person can make it in life with no actual talent.
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gsbarnes
Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 9:12 pm
Joined: 15 Aug 2006Posts: 2666Location: No Fun Town, USA
lieutenantsean wrote:
Hayduke wrote:
lieutenantsean wrote:
I use stubborness and a high tolerance for physical discomfort the way regular people use talent and preparation.
That is enough out of you Hooayh.
It's more like I'm living proof how far a person can make it in life with no actual talent.
I thought that was K-Fed's job.
_________________ I have always thought in the back of my mind: Cheese and Onions
lieutenantsean
Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 9:27 pm
Joined: 10 Oct 2005Posts: 1255
He managed to spend a couple of years of his life as a kept man with a hot rich, morally flexible woman. That's talent.
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wingedc0w
Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 2:29 am
Joined: 18 Oct 2005Posts: 233Location: SEA || 206
I did it last year fixed, in two. It was easy. However, I had been working as a bike delivery kid for a good three months before that. I was use to riding hungover/drunk in 80+ degree heat for 5-6hours at a time. It's cake in two. Just remember....
CHAMIOS BUTT'r!!
ass bilsters and open sores are not your friends. And hit up Mary's Club or Union Jack's after the ride.... great establishments with fine refreshments.
lantius
Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 10:47 am
1337Joined: 22 Jul 2005Posts: 6705Location: right over
wingedc0w wrote:
ass bilsters and open sores are not your friends. And hit up Mary's Club or Union Jack's after the ride.... great establishments with fine refreshments.
best bar in portland, imo: the horse brass. i love it so much i made out with the sign.
bobhall
Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 11:51 am
Joined: 28 Jul 2006Posts: 460
The goal for me this year is to bike it in a day on fixie. Since it's relatively flat, I don't even think it'll be all that hard. I'm usually in one gear anyway.
As for ass blisters, I just ask my girl to pop 'em when she's down there rimming me.
langston
Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 12:10 pm
Joined: 25 Jul 2005Posts: 5547Location: Columbia City
I did it in two days this summer, drunk and stoned the entire way while carrying a 40lb trailer full of underwear and peanut butter. I believe that if with determined company I could make it and not even miss dinner in one day.
I'm going to solicite Megan whether she wants to shoot for this, she is into marathons and shit.
derrickito
Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 12:28 pm
now with 50 percent more EVILJoined: 22 Jul 2005Posts: 10566
my fat ass did it in one day, im pretty sure most of you asshats can do it too
Torch
Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 11:31 pm
TerranceJoined: 24 Jul 2005Posts: 1637Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
if'n a bunch of you motherbitches are going to do it, i just might get my ass in gear and finally obtain a fucking passport so i can come do it with you.
_________________ "the only difference between me and a madman is that i am not mad."
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Torch
Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 8:09 am
TerranceJoined: 24 Jul 2005Posts: 1637Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
of course, riding the STP on a 75-gear-inch fixie (42-15) could lead to a premature heart attack. might be time to set the other side of my ENO hub up with a 16-tooth cog and a freewheel, n'est-ce pas?
If I wanted to set that up, would the blue 16t freewheel cog here be all that i'd need?
If so, Aaron, do you sell them?
_________________ "the only difference between me and a madman is that i am not mad."
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henry
Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 9:02 am
somewhat piggishJoined: 05 Aug 2005Posts: 5415Location: on porch with shotgun
scottie. if you come down for the stp i will personally pee myself with joy.
TerranceJoined: 24 Jul 2005Posts: 1637Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Torch wrote:
of course, riding the STP on a 75-gear-inch fixie (42-15) could lead to a premature heart attack. might be time to set the other side of my ENO hub up with a 16-tooth cog and a freewheel, n'est-ce pas?
If I wanted to set that up, would the blue 16t freewheel cog here be all that i'd need?
If so, Aaron, do you sell them?
i know that quoting yourself is a cry for help, but someone answer my damn question. :P
(maybe i should put this in the Wrenches & Gears forum)
_________________ "the only difference between me and a madman is that i am not mad."
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Hayduke
Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 6:12 pm
Joined: 01 Feb 2006Posts: 677Location: Seattle, WA
Scottie,
(1) when did you actually start riding a fixie? (2) If you have the flip-flop hub that should work, and (3) defiantly go with the ENO FW, the EMO one will rust up on you the first time it rains.
You know what they say "I wish my grass was EMO because then it would cut itself."
lantius
Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 6:29 pm
1337Joined: 22 Jul 2005Posts: 6705Location: right over
yo kapn' kosman. maybe you've forgotten how hilly it is here in seattle? if you're going to have a climber gear, i'd get a 17t freewheel. honestly though given the elevation changes on the stp route i don't think a 75" gear is that bad of an idea. at 80rpm that's 17.5mph, which is a pretty good pace if you want to ride a couple hundred miles?
i'm actually toying with the idea of going to europe right around the stp. maybe i should just plan for a flight out of PDX?
Torch
Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 6:30 pm
TerranceJoined: 24 Jul 2005Posts: 1637Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Hayduke wrote:
Scottie,
(1) when did you actually start riding a fixie?
I direct your attention to this thread, where i ramble on about converting my trek road bike to a fixie. Seriously, best cycling decision i've ever made (except for buying a bike in teh first place... that was pretty rad too).
Hayduke wrote:
(2) If you have the flip-flop hub that should work, and (3) defiantly go with the ENO FW, the EMO one will rust up on you the first time it rains.
You know what they say "I wish my grass was EMO because then it would cut itself."
Cool. I figured it would work, but I wasn't sure if I'd need any other parts besides the freewheel itself, like needing a lockring along with the cog on the fixie side.
_________________ "the only difference between me and a madman is that i am not mad."
- Salvador Dali
henry
Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 6:31 pm
somewhat piggishJoined: 05 Aug 2005Posts: 5415Location: on porch with shotgun
lantius wrote:
i'm actually toying with the idea of going to europe right around the stp. maybe i should just plan for a flight out of PDX?
Go in April with me! Let's ride bikes in Germany and hold eachother's balls
TerranceJoined: 24 Jul 2005Posts: 1637Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
lantius wrote:
honestly though given the elevation changes on the stp route i don't think a 75" gear is that bad of an idea. at 80rpm that's 17.5mph, which is a pretty good pace if you want to ride a couple hundred miles?
fair, but there's that one huge-ass hill about 1/4 of the way through, isn't there? might be nice to have a climber gear for that one. the idea of being in fixed-gear mode for 207 straight miles is a little daunting, too.
i was under the impression that 70" was about ideal for seattle city riding, which is pretty much what 42/16 would get me. i'm gonna be doing some good rides out through the rocky mountains this summer too, and it'd be nice to not be stuck at 75" for some of that. 42/17, you say, though?
_________________ "the only difference between me and a madman is that i am not mad."
- Salvador Dali
gsbarnes
Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 7:38 pm
Joined: 15 Aug 2006Posts: 2666Location: No Fun Town, USA
I just registered the wife and I, so we're largely committed --- of course, you're never really totally committed, since you can pretty much always resell your bib number to the procrastinators by standing outside REI during packet pickup time.
_________________ I have always thought in the back of my mind: Cheese and Onions
margaret
Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 12:07 pm
Joined: 30 Jan 2007Posts: 112Location: bellingham
bobhall wrote:
As for ass blisters, I just ask my girl to pop 'em when she's down there rimming me.
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sorry, can't make it!
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