News Tribune Adventure writer and novice cyclist Craig Hill is training to ride the 202-mile Seattle-to-Portland Bicycle Classic in one day and discovering the local riding scene and the sport’s nuances along the way. In his blog, he explores ideal riding routes, events, relays tips from the experts and helps you figure out if you’ll need to shave your legs for your next big ride.
Guest blogger: Rick Beitelspacher teaches junior high English in the Puyallup School District. You can contact him at tshirtguys@comcast.net.
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We are starting to taper down on our training. On Monday we rode thirty miles with a medium pace. Today we rode thirty miles with a hard pace. On Wednesday, we will ride twenty to twenty-five with an easy pace. Start carbing up and drink tons of water the next few days. On Thursday and Friday, I will set aside an hour on both days to get my stuff and bike ready for the ride. Here is a list of items you can bring on your ride –
I make a list and check it over.
- Three water bottles
- A patch kit, spare tube, a pump and whatever else you need to repair a flat
- Lube for the tender areas
- If you are going to do the ride in one day, can I suggest you change clothes about ½ way. Our wives meet us for lunch, and they bring the clothes to us. I did that last year, and I felt like a new man.
- Tons of sunscreen
- The STP confirmation card to pick up your packet
- My clothes for the ride – Bike shorts, bike jersey, socks, and bike shoes
- Helmet
- We spend the night in a hotel so I bring a bagel with peanut butter for breakfast.
- I have my bag with towel, shaving kit, and change of clothes for the truck to take it to the finish line for an after ride shower.
- $20 just in case I need a tube or water on the road
- ID
- On Friday I go over my bike to make sure everything is tight, and my tires are pumped up. If I have time, I wash my bike. If I have time or not,I will make sure I oil up my chain.
Have fun on Saturday – Rick
If all goes well, we should be celebrating in Portland four days from right now.
But for everything to go well, you better plan for the heat. That means drinking a lot starting right now. (Actually, you probably should have started already.)
I'm trying to down at least 100 ounces per day. Monday I took in 152 ounces of water. So far today, I've downed 170 ounces (Including four water bottles during a two-hour ride this morning).
With a heat wave on the way, hydration will be paramount Saturday. Here's the forecast from the Weather Channel:
SATURDAY'S WEATHER
PUYALLUP
HIGH: 80 degrees
LOW: 58 degrees
HUMIDITY: 59 percent
WIND: SW 7 mph
***
CENTRALIA
HIGH: 81
LOW: 60
HUMIDITY: 62 percent
WIND: SSW 7 mph
***
PORTLAND
HIGH: 84
LOW: 64
HUMIDITY: 59 percent
WIND: WSW 4 mph
SOURCE: Weather.com
