Conference noted::bicycle

    	"saddle time" gripes me. I did a century in July where I started
    about 1/2 hour before everyone else (so I didn't get stuck waiting
    for a ferry). One group passed me about 3 times and I later heard
    about a 5.0 hour time. I finished in about 7:03 and was about 10
    min behind them at the end. 'saddle time', Ha! You could take 12
    hours to do the ride with 1.5 hour blasts, 2 hour rests and do a
    "4.5 hour" century.  To me, that's a 12 hour century.  - Chris

< Note 1309.1 by ENGINE::PAULHUS "Chris @ MLO6B-2/T13 dtn 223-6871" >
                          -< "saddle time" = #!@*@! >-

>    	"saddle time" gripes me. I did a century in July where I started

>    min behind them at the end. 'saddle time', Ha! You could take 12
>    hours to do the ride with 1.5 hour blasts, 2 hour rests and do a
>    "4.5 hour" century.  To me, that's a 12 hour century.  - Chris

Yes, there's a difference between a 5 hr 'saddle time' and a 5 hr total time 
century.  But how much of a difference depends on how much rest 'non-saddle' 
time was involved.  If its 5 min rest, then its a 5:05 total time C.  If its 
65 min rest, then its a 6:05 total time C.  There's a big difference.  That's 
why I track and report BOTH saddle and total time.  Either piece of data 
without the other doesn't tell me much about how well I (or anyone else) was 
riding.

My regular 'saddle time' last year when riding solo C's was 5:30 and total 
time was around 6:00 (until late in the season when it improved, I think).  
This year its 5:05 saddle time and 5:35 or so total time.  This tells me my 
raw speed over this distance has improved quite a bit, and that's why I care 
about saddle time.  But I do track both.

There's also a big difference between riding a sub 5-hr C solo or drafting. 
Take if from me, I've done both.

Note that Chip clearly stated he went with a group and he was reporting saddle 
time.  What I'd like to know is what was his total time and whether they were 
actively drafting.  From the way he wrote, it sounds like they were working 
hard (since he didn't really enjoy it) so they were probably drafting.  These 
facts will allow me to rate his ride if he doesn't mind my doing that!

Kevin

ps.  Your example above works out to 8.5 hours to me.


   1.5hr ride + 2hr rest + 1.5hr + 2hr rest + 1.5hr ride  = 
                                   4.5hr ride + 4 hr rest = 8.5hr.

    Re; 1: WOW! Please read the intital note. The request was for feedback
           on the COVAC, not me or the people I was with. Thanks for
           the attack (I mean) opinion.
    
           For the curious of mind, we probably fiinshed up between
           5.30 - 5.45. We had a nasty crash and stopped twice (water
           stops). We did draft, but about half the ride was only
           myself and a friend. And we did work our butts off! Thank
           you 1309.2. 
    
           Listen to me. I can't believe I'm explaining all of this.
           I could've lied and even more importantly, I know we could
           have pulled a sub 5.0 total. We held up a lot for a slower
           rider. I'm feelin' pretty good about it. Sorry it disappointed
           you Chris.
    
           Chip

        I did the COVAC century this year and last.  The southerly
        breeze and the heat this year made the last 45 miles pretty
        rough.  Last year it was 55-70 degrees with a stiff northerly
        breeze.  That wind helped you home and allowed you to forget
        all of the gradual climbs and to discount the cliffs.  The
        southerly breeze this year didn't really help the first 55 
        miles out for the same reason it didn't hurt badly last year. 
        The reason is because the route north is well sheltered. As 
        such, last year's ride seemed "flatter" because of conditions.
        
        I was guilty of forgetting the tough parts, and only 
        remembering the great scenery.  I tend to forget the pain.

        I like the managable size of the COVAC century.  Tiverton,
        held on the same day, tends to be a bit of a zoo despite 
        the great effort of its organizers.  The 1500 riders is 
        a burden.  The folks are friendly and the organizers has
        the same last name as I do.   

        >> Chip.... I think Norm introduced us on Sunday.   /johnk

     Hi John. Yup, Norm did introduce us. You described it well. You
    even jogged my memory on some of the extremely rough pavement that
    vibrated the heck out my arms. It wasn't that the pavement was in
    bad shape (although parts were), it was just the materials (crushed
    stone mixed with asphalt). In fact, my left shoulder was aching.
    Yeah, that breeze. It was that typical "in the face" deal, but if
    you looked around there wasn't a blade of grass rustling.
    
     The scenery was great and I was glad that there was only one covered
    bridge. That was first one (riding on wood).

    I won't forget this years COVAC.  I am a member of the club that
    sponsored COVAC and have ridden the course many times.  The course
    is very flat(to me at least).  Here in western Mass. that's as flat
    as it gets.  I have been wanting to do a sub-5 century for a while
    now.  That would be no drafting and would include rest stops.
    So here was my perfect chance.  
      Since the first half of the course is a little slower than the
    second half I figured if I had about 2:45 when I got to Brattleboro
    I would be doing great.  As it was I had 2:30 when I arrived and
    was headed for about 4:45 for the whole century or maybe less. 
    Everything was perfect.  My legs felt strong and I had plenty of
    energy.  Then right after I left Brattleboro I started to overheat.
    I had plenty of fluid in me but my body couldn't dissipate the heat
    fast enough.  I had to stop and sit in the shade 4 times the last
    50 miles to cool down.  The high temerature in Hadley was somewhere
    in the mid 90s.  I finally pulled into Hadley with about a 6 1/2
    hours.  That was my worst century ever.
    I had someone take my heart rate about 1 hour after the ride
    and it was 80.  It would usually be about 58-60.  I am sure that
    if I did not decide to take it easy for the last 45 miles I would
    have had heat stroke.  I have decided that it is not worth pushing
    it when the temp. gets that high.
    I will problably try again next month when it's a little cooler.
    
    						Norm
    

< Note 1309.6 by WMOIS::N_FLYE >
                          -< (The one that got away) >-

>    I will problably try again next month when it's a little cooler.
    
Norm,

Let me suggest the 7 Hills Wheelmen Century in Spencer Mass as a candidate for 
your sub-5-hr, total-time, solo century.  Its not flat, but I find it to be a 
fast course, IF you like to hammer the downhills and can climb fairly well 
(like me :^) )  I thinks its next weekend (9/24?).  Last year I just broke 
5hrs (4:59:58)!

Kevin

I also did COVAC this year.  The first 30 miles of fog were eerie, but nice.
I continued pulling a friend until the 55 mile rest stop.  We joined JohnK's
pace line which took off at a very good pace.  I must have burned out
somewhere because by the 82 mile rest stop I was spent!  The heat
made stopping painful with sweat pouring out of me and the humidity made
riding almost as bad with my lungs unable to fill because of my
exercise-induced asmha (?).

The last 15 miles were the worst ride of my life with headwinds, rotton roads,
and an upset stomach.  I took many shots off my inhaler and rarely saw any
riders.  But I decided that if I could do this, I could do most anything.
In the end it was a 5:45 century, at least half of it much of it by myself.
That made me feel good, about as much as the air-conditioned bathroom :-)

Would I do it again?  Not without checking the weather forecast!  

cbs