"Irregulars" 200k ?

There is a rumor that some of the "Irregulars" are thinking of / planning to do a 200k ride.

The rumors are true!

Including new roads!
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For some of us that have been doing mountain centuries or are training to do Half Iron or full Iron Tri's in September or November, a 200k may not be much of a challenge, or even a stretch.

For others of us, it will be a significant challenge. I put myself in this category.

And for yet others, it is beyond one's current limits. I don't want anyone to become roadkill because they were not ready for a 200k effort.
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Anyone who would like to ride a "Martin routed 'Irregular'" 200+k @ 16 mph +/-, needs to convince themselves and the rest of the riding group that you are ready for a 200+k ride. Things happen even to the best prepared that derail the ability to complete a scheduled ride, but not being physically ready is one thing that can be dealt with ahead of time. This will not be a "sagged" ride, so being prepared physically and mentally to complete the task will be vital.

To paraphrase Snapper, no one should think that doing the proposed 200k ride is "just another ride with Martin". The estimated ride time (in-motion) at 16 mph is: 8 hrs, 14 minutes.

I think that doing a 100-miler, one time, on a base of repeated 60-65 mile rides is do-able -- you may suffer a fair bit.

However, the 200k course that is planned is 131 miles with 6000 feet of "climbing". A repeated 60-65 mile base will not be enough to complete the proposed 200k ride without undue pressure during the ride being placed on yourself and on others.

I think a repeated base of 80-85 miles at 16 +/- (plus please) is required as "proof" to yourself and me (as a representative of "the others" -- and hey, I'm the nice guy that plans the routes -- it is also my job, therefore, to be the prick that says "no") before you join the first ever "Irregulars" 200k ride.

Being able to ride really fast for shorter distances is not going to "cut it" for getting your body through the planned 200k ride.

Alternative equivalent "proofs" are acceptable. What those "equivalents" are, will be determined / negotiated between you and me, with advice from others.

Guests will be welcome. But they need to be "proofed", also. And S-A-F-E. And the person that invites the guest is responsible for assuring that the guest has company completing the ride, i.e., you ride with your struggling guest and you get them back, safely.
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If you would like to do a 200+k ride, and you are not up to a proper base from which to do it, or are not sure: then get your behunkus out to some rides the next few Saturdays and get prepared, or decide you're not ready.
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The date for the 200k has been set: Oct-17.

I may be willing to do the planned ride more than once (or substitute a similar ride).
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There is a rumor that the planned 200+k route may have a bailout option that is 101 miles long. I wouldn't want anyone to do the bailout solo, as it is 35 miles from the bailout point to get back to PUE. If you are not used to riding truly solo, quite possibly into a headwind for the entire 35 miles, that might be more than you want to deal with -- especially after having already ridden 66 miles.

signed,
Tinman


Q & A.

Q: How much harder can 200k be than 100 miles?

A: The Blue Ridge Bicycle Club has what they call an "effort index". The "effort" is estimated as: miles + feet climbed / 100. So, for example,

My usual 38-mile lake loop has an effort index of 54.
The Creedmoor-Grissom 47-miler, which used to seem so hard, has an effort index of 66.
A 50-mile modified Assault on Flat Rock, w/ the Beaver Dam detour in both directions, effort 79.
The 68-mile "Long Mill", aka "Bonk Route", effort 98.
The 75-mile Mt. Tirzah ride we did in May, effort 127.
The 87-mile "Stagecoach Express" we did last week, effort 118.
The 108-mile version of the Virginia Border Raid we did last year, effort 148.
The 98-mile Solstace Century we did in June, had approx 4300 ft of clmbing, giving an effort index of 143.

The planned 200k, effort 191.

Need I say more?


Q: Are you serious about not letting someone do the ride if they aren't in proper shape, but really want to try?

A: Yes; if someone is not in shape, it would be unfair to everyone else.