Covington Century 8/2

Chis Zimmer, Amy Potter, and Felix Miller are doing 100.  I am thinking about doing it.  If so, I will do 100 also.  Last year the hills were not that bad, but the heat was awful.  It got up to 98 degrees which really knocked the wind out of me.

 Lisa Bennett (LisaB) said she would probably do it if someone was doing the 80 mile option.

Abbagei, what distance are you guys planning on doing? 

More like maybe........depending..........

I will probably do the 50 mile route or if I feel up for it the 80 mile route.  I practically crawled in on the 66 mile route at the West Georgia Century.  If I decide to do the 80 I'm just hoping it's not too hilly!  Apparently last year it was pretty hot, so I will have my aero water bottle up front, two bottles on the back, and one on my frame to be prepared for that. 

Can anyone give me a heads up on the course profile?

Justin

Doesn't look like the change in elevation is all that much throughout.  After blazing saddles this past Saturday, this is going to be pancake flat.   I think I may do the full hundy.

I just spoke to the race director - the 80 and 100 mile route split about 3 miles after the third rest stop which is about 40 miles into the ride.  They then pick back up the same route about 25 miles from the end, which is about 54 for the 80 mile route and 74 for the 100.

Also, online registration closes on 7/30 but there is race day registration.

Anyone planning on riding up front with the big boys? KP?????

I am planning on doing the 50 in race mode.

I wish I could ride with the big boys!  I'll be one of the pokey one's in the back. 

Let's put it this way, I don't think there will be any spaghetti left when I finish!

I'm going to stay in the back where there's a better view.

Just got this:

1.       It was 105 degrees last year – make sure you drink twice what you think you need (rest stops are well stocked)

2.       The mass rollout is a nightmare – roads are narrow and a lot of unskilled riders will be there

3.       The front group will roll to the 40-mile mark at 22+, but it will be very spread out by then too

4.       The final split point to decide between 100 and 85 (next shorter option) is not long after the 40-mile rest stop, so be wise in your choice (last year I felt great at that point and went for the 100, but the last 10 miles or so were not a lot of fun for me!)

5.       There were some real bad spots on the long route where you had to ride over broken up pavement and gravel/dirt for about a mile (probably less), which was no fun at all (that may be fixed or routed around this year)

6.       The ride *IS NOT FLAT*, so you will hit some hills (nothing like Cochise or the gaps, but not flat either)

7.       Don’t skip rest stops (or at least not any after the first one) – you need the water and a snack, unless you load all your pockets like some do (MB))

8.       Don’t stop long – I made that mistake last year thinking sitting still in the hot sun was better than rolling on, even slowly (it’s not)

9.       The 100 mile option last year was actually 103-105 (which when you’re parched, hot and cramping, those extra few miles really matter)

10.   The food at the end is edible, but you might want to skip it if you’ve fueled well along the way and get to a real restaurant for real food afterwards

11.   I don’t recall a lot of bathroom opportunities along the route (I used a tree or two), so plan ahead (especially the ladies)

12.   It is a pretty boring ride, so find a buddy (I think I sucked English Rob’s wheel from about 90 on, thanks again Rob, I needed it!)