SS endurance racing

[PutAwayWet]

So I'm not a racer, I'll put that out right away. But this year I signed up for the Hampshire 100 (http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1385512&bgcolor0=EEEEEE&bgcolor1=EEEEEE&affiliate=0) (62.5 miles) and the Vermont 50 (http://www.vermont50.com/html/race_description.html) (50 miles). I'll be riding both rigid SS. Any experienced masochists out there have any recommendations?

[mimbresman]

PAW,
I've found that endurance rides are all about moving forward. Eventually you'll get there. Being new to SS I haven't tried that distance on my bike, but I've done a several 50+ mile offroad rides and races on my geared bike. Just keep going forward. Drink lots of water and have plenty of fuel with you. Eat. Good luck! Sounds cool!
MM

edit add: Last endurance offroad ride I did was a Sunday group ride back in November. We rode 100 km round trip; 50 k in to this weird town called Mundo Nuevo (New World). We stayed a few minutes (highlight of the day for the people living there) and rode 50 k back. I got called a "f**king gringo" (plus other profane language) by a drunk local in one of the little towns. (Chavez has improved the quality of life in Venezuela sooooo much.)

[OTBSkinloss]

Any experienced masochists out there have any recommendations?

Wear something white, at night. :D

Good luck.

[bellcha]

I've said it before, I'll say it again..

Anti-Inflamatory cream on the fore-arms.
Stops the "Cocky Claw" kicking in at around the 3 hr mark.

Good luck to you, it's much like hitting your head against a brick wall, it feels great when you stop.
Plus the beers just taste so much sweeter afterwards.

[2niner?]

I have done several 24 hours races in my SS...it is all about setting a confortable pace, drink, eat, ride, and have fun...have a beer every once in a while, ride, rest, ride the sunset lap...
Have more fun, keep riding, find your pace, it is an spiritual jorney...trust me... after that you will never ride gears!!!
Ride your own race, not others race...
Remember have as much fun as you can...
Do it solo!!!

[nogearshere]

endurance races are stupid.

on Saturday i spent near 9hrs on a bike, i am stupid.



once i cracked (not even half way) and realized that riding a race pace wasn't going to work, things started to fall in line...times picked up (slowly) and the pain subsided. it actually became fun when it was just about the mileage and personal best(s) and scenery and butterfly faith and peanut butter laces.

if you must do these decrepit foolish things, tune everyone else out...ride your ride...some time before you get there ride at your BEST pace for say 75% of the total distance - then stick at that pace come 'raceday' - i say you'll be fine.
racer or not.

IGNORE THE RABBITS. PARTICULARLY SMALL RABBITS THAT AREN'T RACING YOUR RACE (ie shorter distances)...I HATE RABBITS, SO TEMPTING, SO TAUNTING.

[rockyrider]

an infamous head to head knockdown competition...

[mimbresman]

Rocky, are you suggesting PAW puts JATO packs on his SS like that cheat'n turtle had under his shell?

[rockyrider]

JATO is likely more acceptable than EPO. :D

[mimbresman]

I don't know if this (http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=160645&fr=) has a U.S. Forest Service approved spark arrestor.

[rockyrider]

I don't know if this (http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=160645&fr=) has a U.S. Forest Service approved spark arrestor.I love the sound it makes as it zips past, proper doppler shift for sure.

[PutAwayWet]

Thanks for the advice, fellas. I had no illusions of actually 'racing'. My goals are to finish, and to finish in one piece. For the Hampshire 100, I'll be riding with a friend (also on a rigid SS) so we'll keep each other from killing our selves I hope. it's much like hitting your head against a brick wall, it feels great when you stop.So true...
it is an spiritual jorney...trust me... after that you will never ride gears!!!I found that out the first time I rode my SS :D The gearie just hangs in the basement....

[S. cerevisiae]

Sounds like you gott'er figured out. Just treat it like a really long group ride. Try not to be in the way of those that take such things too seriously (unless one enjoys irritating them).

On a side note, and don't misunderestimate my meaning, singlespeeds are way cool. I have a beautiful '07 chocolate Monocog 29. I would not, however, like it any less if it had an internally geared hub.

Perhaps the kool-aid wasn't spiked strongly enough?

Maybe the priest that exorcised my demons should have tried more harder?

I'd never go back to 26" though.

'Yeast, it does a body good.