The end of the month will find me way off my hoped for miles. With the un-May like weather, some ugly saddle sores and a life to live I will be a few hundred miles short of my goal; but that is ok.
I was a little worried coming up on the middle of June quickly and having not managed to put in a single big ride, much less two or three. I had hoped to get a couple of centuries in and maybe a double century. I may be able to get one of each before June 11th, at least that is my goal. I look at my bike fitness last year compared to this year though and even without the long training rides I am probably 4 to 6 six weeks ahead in my overall fitness.
With Bike to Work month nearly over I can plan a couple of rest days before the two weekends in June and get a couple of monster rides in before I taper before the following weekend. Knowing in my head that I may not be as fast as I want on the ride, but that my goal is simply to finish the distance, makes planning easier.
A lot of my performance will be weather dependant. If, like last year, we get the first heat wave of the season the day I’m riding or alternately there is a huge storm brewing, then I know I will be slower by need. Hopefully I will have good winds that day as well. If not my bailout plan is to get to Spokane if time is not on my side.
Plans so far: leave around am – without the drafting that I had last year, I anticipate being to the top of Steven’s Pass around 7am (I may be later depending on how much the additional equipment weight slows me down).
I should get to Orondo around 10am or 11am depending on wind and weight again. Unlike last year I will take my time getting down the other side of Steven’s Pass and not worry about fighting gravity.
Coulee City and I should find each other around 2pm. This includes the climb from Oronda to Waterville and then out of the canyon east of Waterville. Maybe 3pm.
Then there is the long slough to Spokane. Little climbs and drops, lots of flats and just the right amount of sunshine (I hope). I am hoping for about 9pm. Depending on how close to this time schedule I am and how long of a day it has been for my wonderful support crew at this point I will make the decision to continue onto Plummer.
Spokane to Plummer should be about another 3 hours or around 12am. I may be slightly faster, but again I need to make sure that I pace myself well. Again a lot depends on weather conditions and support conditions. I plan to be self-supported to Orondo and if I’m doing well probably for the last stretch as well. It will still be a long day, but a lot more manageable I think.
Weight is going to be an issue. I will be bringing a minimum of 2 spares plus flat kit, a spare tire, folding tool, spare batteries, heavy duty lights, extra water bottles and carrier, plus I think I’m going to try the Camel-Back this year. My thought being, my bottles can carry all of my mixed water and my clean water will be on my back. Also if it’s hot or cold I can adjust the temperature of the water against my skin to help combat it. All told, I expect that I will have nearly an additional 6 lbs on the bike. OUCH!
I can’t wait!
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