On this note, I will be up there to do the 6 Gap loop on Aug 12th. Me and
some friends will be leaving Friday, Aug 11th, do the ride Saturday, and
come back on Sunday. Unfortunately, I am staying at my friends' place, so I
can't offer any lodging, but if you are interested in riding, please let me
know.
As most of you probably already know that the US Pro Championship RR is in
Greenville, SC. this year. I will be riding the 6 Gap loop again Saturday,
Sept 2nd, and watch the race on Sunday the 3rd. We can meet up to ride the
century if ya'll interested. We will be riding a little faster than Mr
Howland, so be ready to suffer, then again, there is NO such thing as an
easy ride in the mountains anyway. :)
Huan
ps 246-7756 cell
<blockquote style="border-left: #5555EE solid 0.2em; margin: 0em; padding-left: 0.85em">From: Robert Howland <fizzteach@xxxxxxxxx>
To: GCCMail@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: GCCMail: 3 Gap team?
Date: Tue, 1 Aug 2006 15:06:40 -0700 (PDT)
Hi, GCC,
I'm riding again at 50 mile 3 Gap in Dahlonega this year on Sunday 24
Sept...you heavy hitters know it as 6 Gap~ 100 miles. I was 8th across the
line of 450 riders in our shorter ride. The 1st place guy was less than 10
minutes ahead of me. If you saw the start...I was about halfway back in
that huge field of ~ 1500 riders...he may have been less than 3-4 minutes
ahead of me. We'll never know since the software &/or ankle timers did not
work properly to give corrected elapsed time.
I went out and found a Madone 5.2 and started putting in foundation miles
earlier focusing on climbing and TT...I spent a lot of time alone last year
after the first major climb...roughly the 25 mile mark....I suddenly turned
left and did two climbs by myself...except to pass v. weak riders. I spent
the last 10 miles closing down the gap on 3 riders who only finished ~1
minute ahead of me. They could take turns pulling...I just chased...it
hurt so good. I only averaged about 16.8 mph for the whole 50 miles...max
speed just under 40 mph...climbing speed for those 20-30-40 minute climbs
of the three big passes~8-12 mph.
But, I'm thinking...maybe someone (or two or three?) who also rides in my
speed range is out there & is also thinking about doing 3 Gap...we could
"team" up and paceline each other over the last two climbs and the
intervening plateau. I'm thinking we could increase our climbing speed to
10-14 mph...and across the occasional "flat" areas crank up the speed to
20+ mph. However...in the last 2-3 miles...we agree...your on your own.
May the best man or woman win...right?
FYI: With the newer Madone...I'm riding with a flat ground look down speed
of ~ 20 mph...but in a large group I've been cruising comfortably at 22-23
mph. As I ramp up training...those speeds will rise. I'll be 51 in Sept.
Unfortunately, if anyone is interested...we can't room...my wife and
youngest daughter are going with me. We already have a room at the Comfort
Inn-Dawsonville. Dahlonega hotels are already well booked. But, I do
know a great place in Dawsonville that puts on a heckuva pre-ride spaghetti
dinner.
Think about it...ask if you have questions...do an online search for the
ride...it is on the GCC tour schedule.
Let me know if you are interested.
Bob Howland
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